Podcasts about East Africa

Founder and Executive Director Donna V. Werner's humanitarian journey began in 2016, when she attended a conference in Toronto, Canada, as an international delegate from the United States. There, she met a gentleman from Kenya who had recently started a school and invited Donna to help support the children. She traveled to Kenya in June 2017 to see the needs firsthand. Upon returning she noted, “I am no longer the same person. Visiting Kenya changed me.”Donna soon established a 501(c)(3): Dorcas Destiny International. DDI has since grown from one relationship with one school into an organization with Kenyan staff and programs serving communities in several parts of the country. Today, DDI coordinates daily feeding for more than 700 children and also provides educational enrichment, social work and home visits, scholarships, and emergency assistance.DDI's scholarship program helps students continue into high school, with the larger vision of helping young people not only complete secondary education but have the opportunity to pursue university, vocational training, and productive futures.One of DDI's most significant next steps is the development of Beloved Destiny Children's Home in Lodwar, Turkana County where DDI currently supports 36 vulnerable children, many who experience life on the streets, hunger, abandonment, or severe family hardship. The vision is to establish a safe, stable home while working with local authorities and families toward education, care, family tracing, and reunification whenever possible.What began with one invitation to visit one school has become a growing international ministry—and Donna continues to ask others to find their place in the story.Dorcas Destiny International (DDI) is a thriving nonprofit providing tangible support to children and women in Kenya, East Africa, since June 2017. DDI serves hundreds of children and families living in extreme poverty through daily nutrition, education, scholarships, crisis assistance, community development, and other programs designed to create lasting impact.Website: https://DorcasDestinyIntl.org. You can reach Donna directly by calling her at 773-505-3378 or via email at Donna@dorcasdestinyintl.org.THANKS TO OUR PLATINUM SPONSOR, AARP ILLINOIS a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 1.7 million members in Illinois, AARP volunteers advocate for better health, financial security and stronger communities. VisitAARP.org/IL to learn more.

Jambojet CEO and MD Karanja Ndegwa joins The AviaDev team to discuss the airline's return to regional flying with its Entebbe route, why it suspended flights to Zanzibar, and how it plans to grow its fleet. The conversation also covers Jambojet's relationship with Kenya Airways and the economics shaping airline growth in East Africa.  Chapters 01:04 Jambojet's Entebbe route and return to regional flying 03:28 Domestic recovery and Jambojet's market share growth 04:21 Aircraft shortages and expansion challenges 06:13 Why Jambojet suspended its Zanzibar route 09:06 Tourism fees, taxes, and travel demand 10:52 Jambojet and Kenya Airways: partners or competitors? 12:16 Why the Q400 works for regional routes and short runways 17:00 The Q400 fleet's limits and Jambojet's growth plans 19:17 Fuel costs and Jambojet's profitability 21:09 Fleet expansion plans through 2029 22:20 Aircraft options for Jambojet's future fleet 24:22 Jambojet's financial independence within Kenya Airways 27:22 Karanja's aircraft pick #Jambojet #AfricanAviation #Aviation #Connectivity #AirlineIndustry #Africa #Kenya #AviaDev #Nairobi #Uganda Sign up to the AviaDev mailing list https://www.aviadev.com/keep-me-updated

How to Retire on Purpose: The Last 6 Months Before Walking AwayWhat happens when your financial advisor looks you in the eye and says "you could retire today," and you decide to keep working anyway?My friend Scott Folland is back on the show, and this time he's got a date circled. He's an orthopedic PA here in the Twin Cities, he's been at the same practice for 15 years, and he's clocking out for good in early January. Not because he hates the job. He actually likes it. That's what makes this conversation so different from most early retirement stories you hear.Scott walks us through the slow downshift, going to 80% time with Fridays off a couple of years back, then spending six months training the person who's taking over his role. We get into the part almost nobody talks about: what happens to your identity when the title goes away. Scott's had three sabbaticals in his career, including two years living overseas in East Africa, so he's had some practice being a person who isn't his job.Then there's the whiteboard. Scott went through a retirement planning module, decided the "vision board" exercise was corporate nonsense, bought a whiteboard at Target out of spite, and ended up with something that now sits next to his bed where he looks at it twice a day. Three columns: things to add, things to try, and things to cut out of his life entirely. That middle column is the one most people skip.We also get into the nuts and bolts. Where the money comes from first, why he's letting the 401(k) keep growing even though the rule of 55 is right there, how he's covering health insurance before Medicare, why he shut off his retirement contributions in the final year, and what he's doing with 2,700 miles of gravel road between Mexico and Banff.Oh, and he's planning to get a job. Two of them. You'll want to hear why.If you're a few years out and terrified to pull the trigger, Scott's closing advice is worth the whole episode.Contact Chris:https://heavymetal.moneyhttps://www.facebook.com/MoneyHeavyMetalhttps://x.com/MoneyHeavyMetalhttps://www.instagram.com/chrislugerhttps://www.tiktok.com/@heavymetalmoneyemail: chris at heavymetal.moneyResources and Links:Stacking Benjamins PodcastMarks Money Mind PodcastEarn & Inest PodcastFaribault Wool Mill TourHostel MovieRock Retirement Clubhttps://www.rockretirementclub.comJean Chatsky's The Forever PaycheckLife Transitions - Live from CampFI RM Week 3 | Episode 051https://youtu.be/7i_tGglOv28?si=3HQ2tKU2e2p4Qhz0Williams Sonoma Coffee ClassContact Chris:https://heavymetal.moneyhttps://www.instagram.com/heavy_metal_money/https://www.youtube.com/@heavymetalmoneyhttps://www.facebook.com/chrislugeremail: chris at heavymetal.money

Journalist and author Sarah Kendzior: Trump's Authoritarian Onslaught Designed to Overwhelm a Nation that Rejects His TyrannyGeorge Washington University's Dr. Lynn Goldman: Trump EPA Repeals Regulations Limiting Planet-Warming Emissions from Coal and Gas-Fired Power PlantsCenter for Democracy and Technology's Miranda Bogen: AI Potential Danger Provokes Calls for Development Slow Down, RegulationBob Nixon's Under-reported News Summary• South America is reducing hunger faster than any other region in the world• Controversial 900-mile oil pipeline across East Africa is nearing completion• Montana / Wyoming pipeline project hit a regulatory roadblockVisit our website at BTLonline.org for  more information, in-depth interviews, related links,  transcripts and subscribe to our BTL Weekly Summary and/or podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday at 12 noon ET,  website updated Wednesdays after 4 p.m. ETProduced by Squeaky Wheel Productions: Scott Harris, Melinda Tuhus, Bob Nixon, Anna Manzo, Susan Bramhall, Jeff Yates and Mary Hunt. Theme music by Richard Hill and Mikata. 

Journalist and author Sarah Kendzior: Trump's Authoritarian Onslaught Designed to Overwhelm a Nation that Rejects His TyrannyGeorge Washington University's Dr. Lynn Goldman: Trump EPA Repeals Regulations Limiting Planet-Warming Emissions from Coal and Gas-Fired Power PlantsCenter for Democracy and Technology's Miranda Bogen: AI Potential Danger Provokes Calls for Development Slow Down, RegulationBob Nixon's Under-reported News Summary• South America is reducing hunger faster than any other region in the world• Controversial 900-mile oil pipeline across East Africa is nearing completion• Montana / Wyoming pipeline project hit a regulatory roadblockVisit our website at BTLonline.org for  more information, in-depth interviews, related links and transcripts and to sign up for our BTL Weekly Summary. New episodes every Wednesday at 12 noon ET,  website updated Wednesdays after 4 p.m. ETProduced by Squeaky Wheel Productions: Scott Harris, Melinda Tuhus, Bob Nixon, Anna Manzo, Susan Bramhall, Jeff Yates and Mary Hunt. Theme music by Richard Hill and Mikata. 

In a week where:US confirms it has weapons in space.The European Union invites Canada to become the bloc's first associate member.Sweden centre-left opposition wins election with 176 seats.Anthropic quietly opens biology lab, days after releasing report on bio weapons.Trump announces Greenland deal, giving US 'permanent control over security'.In Education: (12:00) There are two professors that have been in the news albeit one with significantly more press: Dr. Jason Arday & Prof. James Orr. So why d'you know one and not the other? (Article By Hardeep Matharu) In Politics: (30:20) The Horn Of Africa (comprised of Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the partially recognised state of Somaliland) had a peace agreement in '05 in Sudan but it's been all but that since then. So where does East Africa go now? (Article By Matthew De Waal) In Society: (45:42) There has been a solid lineage of women in Africa fighting for their rights. So why are donors acting like they're doing a great service by "giving women a voice"? (Article By Ngozi Nwosu-Juba) Lastly, in Life: (56:52) The apocalypse is coming & you have to take one thing along with your go bag. How long does it take you to say "your childhood teddy"? For some, it was their first choice. (Article By Ruth Ogden, Anna Powell & Patricia Kingori) Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?"Rate & ReviewE-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter & IG: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://the5thelement.co.ukPhotography: https://www.crt.photographyIntro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop MusicOther Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

This week on the Newscast, we're joined by Dilafruz Khonikboyeva, the founder of the Home Planet Fund, an independent, Indigenous-led nonprofit that provides funding for local and Indigenous communities and conservation projects around the world. Khonikboyeva, who is also the organization's executive director, speaks about the ethos of the Home Planet Fund and how it works. But I must emphasize that in my conversation with Khonikboyeva, what stands out most to me isn't just the fund's focus on Indigenous-led conversation and investing in local knowledge. It's the well of experience Khonikboyeva brings to it that, growing up in Tajikistan under Soviet occupation and having firsthand experience of a community making do under extremely difficult circumstances, I believe, is rare among philanthropic efforts. In a sector that runs on reports, restrictions, and guarantees, Khonikboyeva encourages funders to work differently, which often might come in an answer they don't want to hear. "If you're getting a satisfying answer in this space, something isn't right," she says. She explains: "I think sometimes people wanna hear, 'Yes, we'll take your money. Yes, we'll do what you want in the timeline that you want. Yes, everything is possible." And it's just not true, right? That is actually not how life works, and anybody who tells you otherwise is certainly selling you something." The Home Planet Fund chooses to focus on four distinct ecologies that "researchers have pinpointed around the world [as] critical from a climate and biodiversity angle," Khonikboyeva says. These are the Tongass Rainforest of Alaska; the glaciers around Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India — sometimes referred to as "the third pole"; the grasslands of East Africa; and the South Pacific. Through trusted networks, Khoniboyeva and her team identify and build relationships with local communities in these areas who are already engaged in conservation efforts and provide them with funding. "Making sure we have elders, making sure we have whole communities, making sure we have women's groups, making sure we have youth groups involved and co-building with them is really, really important," she says. Please take a minute to let us know what you think of our podcast here. Mike DiGirolamo is the host & producer for the Mongabay Newscast based in Sydney. Find him on LinkedIn and Bluesky. Banner image: Faye Saemala, whose family has lived in the village of Lilisiana, in the Solomon Islands, for generations. Image courtesy of Jason Gagame. —- Timecodes (00:00) "The Hardest of Humanity That I've Seen" (03:41) Dilafruz Khonikboyeva Explains the Home Planet Fund (08:39) Growing Up in Tajikistan (12:00) Community Works Over Monetary Incentive (16:58) How the Fund Built Relationships (19:45) Identifying the Four Ecologies (24:10) Support Mongabay on Patreon (24:48) 'We Don't Accept Grant Proposals' (27:56) Women's Collectives in the South Pacific (31:58) The Case for Unrestricted Funding (35:02) Towards a Collaborative Fund (38:33) "If You're Getting a Satisfying Answer, Something Isn't Right" (40:51) Working in Conflict Zones (45:10) Mindset Shifts for Philanthropists (46:55) 'Investing in Healing Ourselves' (50:49) Closing

Dubai can look like a postcard of skyscrapers and luxury, but living there teaches you the real story fast: it's blazing hot outside, freezing cold inside, and somehow both deeply traditional and aggressively futuristic. We sit down with Martina, a global citizen and former Reuters journalist who watched Dubai transform firsthand, to get practical, honest guidance for travelers who want more than a quick photo stop.We talk about what daily life feels like in a city where you can ski in a shopping mall, run “mallathons” before stores open, and pay with your face. Martina breaks down what to pack for the indoor outdoor temperature shock, what things cost (think Switzerland level pricing in many places), and how far you can get with English. She also shares why Dubai's air connectivity is such a superpower, turning the UAE into a strategic base for exploring the Middle East, East Africa, and South Asia.Then we zoom out to build a smarter Dubai travel itinerary: when to visit, what's worth your time, and why Abu Dhabi and Oman can balance the glitz with culture and history. If you're curious about Dubai, this conversation gives you a clear starting point. Subscribe, share the show with a travel-loving friend, and leave a quick rating or review to help more listeners find us.Map of DubaiSupport the showPlease download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/HostsCarol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.lifeKristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee. 

At its height, Ming China was one of the most powerful states on Earth. Its cities bustled with merchants and scholars, its goods travelled across continents, and its treasure fleets sailed as far as East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. At the heart of this vast empire stood the Forbidden City- a spectacular symbol of imperial authority.But prosperity bred corruption, power created enemies, and rebellion threatened the dynasty from within. In this episode, Dan heads to Beijing to explore how an impoverished peasant founded a dynasty that ruled China for nearly three centuries and how war, political crisis, rebellion and environmental catastrophe ultimately brought it down. Warning: this episode refers to suicide. Produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Dougal PatmoreYou can check out our documentary on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHBTevu_eTcIf you want more of Jeremiah on Dan Snow's History Hit, check out these episodes on any podcast player:The Opium Wars at https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GYkpTToitfmACR6RX9yGaThe Forbidden City at https://open.spotify.com/episode/5FdOolMSttL4aIXlMniMUjThe Terracotta Warriors at https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-terracotta-warriors/id1042631089?i=1000666138627Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.You can also email the podcast directly at ds.hh@historyhit.com.Dan Snow's History Hit is a History Hit podcast.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last time we spoke about the beginning of the Malayan Campaign. In December 1941, Japan invaded British Malaya, aiming to cripple Allied power. Despite British defenses, General Yamashita's battle-hardened 25th Army overwhelmed them. The British fumbled early, failing to strike Japanese beachheads, while the sinking of Force Z left Malaya without naval protection. At Jitra, the absence of tanks proved devastating for the Indian defenders. Yamashita employed blitzkrieg tactics, using tanks and bicycles to exploit the terrain. The British, spread thin and under-resourced, retreated south, facing constant attacks and encirclements. The evacuation of Penang further demoralized the Allies, with locals turning against their colonial rulers.   #220 The Malayan Campaign Part 2: The Collapse of Johore Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War.   While British forces retreated southward in disarray, a different response was taking shape within the local Chinese population. Ethnic Chinese volunteers, motivated by decades of Japanese aggression in Asia and the brutality of Japan's ongoing war in China, began organizing into military formations to resist where the British colonial administration was failing. These volunteers lacked the resources of official forces, but they possessed something the dwindling British garrisons did not: deep roots in Malayan territory and an existential stake in defeating the Japanese. As British commanders abandoned town after town, Chinese resistance fighters prepared to stay and fight.   Despite acts of heroism, such as at Kampar, the Japanese advanced relentlessly. The defenders prepared a new line of defense at Trolak, five miles north of Slim River. Reinforcements arrived, and the 45th Brigade was dispatched to repel the enemy's advance on Kuala Selangor. General Paris established a new defensive line at the Slim River, approximately 50 miles north of Kuala Lumpur. Though the river presented a significant anti-tank obstacle with its consistent 200-yard width, insufficient troop numbers prevented complete coverage. The next delaying action was staged at Trolak, a narrow point 9 miles north of the river. Paris positioned Lieutenant Colonel Ian Stewart's depleted 12th Brigade in the forward constricted area, the 28th Brigade to cover the road and railway, and the 15th Brigade in reserve at Tanjong Malim. This represented a defense-in-depth strategy. Stewart deployed his battalions strategically, but the forward commander, Lieutenant Colonel Wilson Haffenden, was wounded in an air attack shortly after taking position. Japanese fighters exploited the predictable concentration of defenders along the narrow road, attacking with impunity against limited anti-aircraft defenses. The forward battalion's role was to serve as a tripwire, alerting the brigade to large-scale attacks and delaying the Japanese advance. A critical weakness was the inadequate deployment of artillery. Only eight 25-pounder guns were positioned forward, while over sixteen were kept further back for safer withdrawal across the river. The forward defenses also lacked mines and anti-tank guns, though these were available to the supporting battalion. By this point, the campaign had drained morale—troops were exhausted, underfed, unwashed, and sleep-deprived from constant movement, aerial attacks, and minimal time for proper defensive construction. A Tamil laborer reported seeing at least 80 "tanks" in a nearby village. British officers dismissed the report, mistakenly assuming he confused trucks for tanks. The men remained unaware of the imminent danger. The Japanese initiated minor probes along the railway that morning, repelled by artillery fire with approximately 60 enemy dead. The remainder of the day was quiet. Stewart requested 48 hours' rest for his exhausted men. Paris agreed and sent divisional reserves to positions south of Trolak. Ninety minutes after they arrived, the Japanese attacked. Major Hajime Shimada commanded approximately 30 Type 95 tanks and 10 light tanks, plus trucks carrying infantry. After setbacks at Kampar, Shimada convinced his superiors to permit a night armored assault—uncommon in World War II but calculated as a worthwhile risk given the narrow defensive front where artillery could devastate his concentrated force. At 3 a.m. on January 7th, heavy rain fell. Defenders in foxholes along the jungle road heard gunfire at dusk, indicating Japanese attempts to pinpoint positions. At 3:30 a.m., Japanese mortars and artillery shells opened fire. Fifteen minutes later, Japanese infantry within 300 yards attempted to breach barbed wire obstacles. At 4 a.m., tanks arrived, their yellow tracer rounds causing widespread panic. The forward anti-tank gun remained silent, its crew possibly dead or fled. Defenders retreated in chaos. At 4:30 a.m., one of Shimada's tanks detonated an anti-tank mine. The tank behind was disabled by a Boys anti-tank rifle. Punjabi defenders on high ground began launching Molotov cocktails against the vehicles. Shimada's plan backfired. His immobilized armored column became vulnerable to artillery fire, illuminated by the burning Molotov cocktails. The tanks lacked radios; commanders opened hatches to shout orders, exposing themselves to grenades. Ironically, the Molotov fires revealed escape routes, and Shimada's force managed to break through. The opportunity to destroy the entire column was lost, possibly due to the newly arrived reinforcements failing to establish telephone lines for directing artillery fire. By 6 a.m., most Japanese tanks had advanced, mopping up infantry. The leading tanks were halted again by another anti-tank mine. Molotov cocktails were deployed, and two anti-tank guns engaged, destroying one tank. But the crews soon fell silent, possibly unnerved by advancing Japanese infantry. By 7 a.m., organized resistance collapsed, and defenders fled the Trolak area. In the central sector, Captain Kenneth McLeod watched turbaned soldiers stream past: "I stood there like a traffic officer to whom no one pays any attention." Roadblocks were hastily established as commanders attempted to prepare bridge demolition charges. The first four tanks appeared in the remaining darkness, easily overcoming initial roadblocks. The second defensive line included armored cars and Boys rifles. One tank was set ablaze by Molotov cocktail and immobilized by a Boys shot. The armored cars were hit and disabled. Defenders heroically pushed the damaged vehicles to the southern end of the Trolak bridge to delay the Japanese before destroying it around 6:30 p.m. Many Japanese forces bypassed this sector, attempting to encircle fleeing defenders before they reached the Slim River. Tank ambushes along roadways forced many into the jungle. Second Lieutenant Ian Primrose was knocked unconscious during an ambush. Upon regaining consciousness, he discovered Japanese soldiers taking prisoners and segregating the wounded. Primrose recalled: "Everybody had heard the stories about Japanese atrocities in China, but that was Asians dealing with Asians. We never expected this sort of thing to happen to us." Afterwards, surviving prisoners were forced to dig graves for the murdered and carry wounded Japanese soldiers. En route south of Trolak, Paris's reinforcements approached with ammunition and heavy weapons. Shimada's vanguard, led by 2nd Lieutenant Sadanobu Watanabe, ambushed the approaching vehicles. The first two companies—approximately 250 men—were decimated. Watanabe pushed on. Near the Slim River, his tanks attacked the Gurkha brigade's headquarters. Captain Tom Mooney, rather than seeking cover, "drew his .455 revolver, stood his ground and fired upon the tanks until he was shot dead." Watanabe's objective was seizing the Slim road bridge. He encountered Gurkha forces, many young recruits. Major Winkfield recalled: "The next thing I knew a machine-gun blazed in my ear; a bullet grazed my leg and I dived into the ditch as a tank bore down on me. It had passed through half my battalion without my realizing that anything was amiss." The casualties were severe. Colonel Fulton was wounded and later died in captivity. At his headquarters in Tanjong Malim, Archibald Paris remained unaware of the rapid collapse. Two hours after the Japanese attack, intelligence ceased. Reports of enemy breakthroughs surfaced. Paris dispatched Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Harrison to investigate. Harrison recalled: "The next thing I knew was a deafening volley as machine gun bullets shattered my windscreen. I wrenched the wheel hard to starboard, crashed into the ditch, opened the door, leapt out and ran like hell over 50 yards of open ground to flimsy security of some scattered rubber." Behind him, his driver Ghulam, holding a wounded shoulder, asked in bewilderment: "Are those our armored cars, Sahib?" Watanabe continued his advance, killing Lieutenant Colonel Charles Holme, and reached the bridge, defended by Bofors gunners and Hong Kong Artillery men. Their anti-tank guns, using air-burst ammunition, proved ineffective against the Type 95's armor. The gunners fled. Watanabe, injured, remained on the bridge, cutting the wires to the demolition charges. Ensign Toichero Sato led three tanks south of the river toward Tanjong Malim, killing Colonel Augustus Murdoch. A Japanese soldier later remarked of Sato: "He died in an officer-like manner, with his hand on the hilt of his service sword." Tsuji, visiting the wreck, observed: "Sato had collapsed beside his gun like a dish of ame." Harrison, reflecting on the experience in his unpublished history of the 11th Division, could not conceal his admiration for the Japanese: "Heedless of danger and of their isolation they had shattered the division; they had captured the Slim bridge by their reckless and gallant determination." The Battle of Slim River represented a catastrophic collapse of British defenses. In a single night of audacious tank assault, Yamashita's forces had shattered the 11th Indian Division, secured a critical crossing, and opened the road to Singapore. The campaign's southern phase had begun.   As British formations collapsed at Slim River and scattered across northern Malaya, Dalforce—the Chinese volunteer army officially formed on December 25th—was already seeing combat. This 4,000-strong unit, hastily organized under Lieutenant Colonel John Dalley and comprised predominantly of ethnic Chinese recruits, had begun operations despite severe handicaps. Many fighters carried sporting rifles rather than military-grade weapons; critical supply shipments had been lost when the SS Empress of Asia sank. Yet they fought. Dalforce members, drawn from Chinese communities throughout Malaya and Singapore, were motivated by more than military duty. Japanese forces had invaded China in 1937, and the brutality of that occupation—massacres, forced labor, cultural suppression—was well known to these volunteers. Many had family connections to China and viewed the Japanese invasion of Malaya as an extension of the same imperial aggression. Unlike British forces, which operated under colonial orders, Chinese volunteers fought for their own survival and that of their communities. Their involvement during this phase remained largely in supporting roles and guerrilla actions, as Dalforce units engaged Japanese forces in skirmishes and ambushes across the peninsula. Though initially integrated with British command structures, their effectiveness and commitment stood in sharp contrast to the demoralization gripping the official military hierarchy. While British brigades were fragmenting and retreating in confusion, Chinese resistance fighters demonstrated the kind of stubborn determination that would characterize their struggle throughout the coming Japanese occupation. General Sir Archibald Wavell arrived in Singapore on January 7th as Percival's forces were collapsing at Slim River. Wavell carried considerable prestige. Despite his mixed record against Rommel in North Africa, even the Desert Fox himself rated Wavell highly. Auchinleck, Wavell's replacement in the Middle East, later wrote of him: "In no sense do I wish to infer that I found an unsatisfactory situation on my arrival—far from it. Not only was I greatly impressed by the solid foundations laid by my predecessor, but I was also able the better to appreciate the vastness of the problems with which he had been confronted and the greatness of his achievements, in a command in which some 40 different languages are spoken by the British and allied forces." Churchill had relieved Wavell in June following failed operations, and he was subsequently appointed commander in chief of ABDACOM (American, British, Dutch, Australian Command) for the Far East. Upon landing, Wavell assumed control of the British Far East Command and immediately traveled to Rasa to assess the situation. He encountered Brigadiers Stewart and Selby—the men responsible for defending Trolak and Slim River. Wavell recalled: "I have never seen two men look so tired." The scale of the catastrophe became apparent. Stewart's 12th Brigade, once formidable, could muster only 430 officers and men—roughly one-sixth its original strength, with barely 200 armed troops fit for combat. Selby's 28th Brigade fared slightly better at 750 men. The sight shocked Wavell, and he immediately suspected serious command failures under Percival. What Wavell did not know was that Percival had already decided to abandon central Malaya forty-eight hours before the Japanese reached Slim Bridge. This strategic decision, however, was proving catastrophic in execution. Wavell quickly grasped that Johor—the last state before Singapore—would be decisive. He needed to buy time for reinforcements and reorganize the scattered forces into defensible positions. Wavell appointed the 8th Australian Division under Major General Gordon Bennett to defend northwestern Johor, while Indian forces took responsibility for southern and northeastern Johor. Bennett, however, was frustrated by the defensive posture. The plan involved retreating 140 miles and abandoning key terrain to establish a new line in northern Johor, bolstered by incoming East Anglian Territorials. Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Harrison, who had narrowly escaped Japanese tanks at Tanjong Malim, later wrote that he "could not conceal his admiration for the men who almost killed him." Japanese officer Mustaph Ghulam observed their "heedless of danger and of their isolation they had shattered the division; they had captured the Slim bridge by their reckless and gallant determination." Even Stewart acknowledged mistakes: "I am rightly criticised for the location of Brigade Headquarters, and for not using the Field Artillery in an anti-tank role...It is no excuse, but I had never taken part in an exercise embodying a coordinated anti-tank defence or this type of attack. The use of tanks on a road at night was a surprise." Wavell intervened decisively in the dispute between Percival and Bennett. Accepting the withdrawal to Johor, he overruled Percival's reluctance to commit the Australians to the threatened western coast. As Bennett put it, they were "going into bat, we must take certain risks on the east coast temporarily in order to organize a good defense on the western side which is immediately threatened." Wavell reorganized Bennett's forces into Westforce, positioning them to counter Yamashita's inevitable coastal advance. Westforce dug in along the Muar River to buy time for Indian forces to reorganize. As the British retreated, they employed scorched earth tactics—burning rubber factories, mines, and fuel stocks. Percival acknowledged the cost to British prestige: "Pillars of smoke and flame rose into the sky as rubber factories, mine machinery, petrol and oil stocks were denied. Small wonder that British prestige sank to a very low ebb among the population." Booby traps inflicted additional casualties on the pursuing Japanese. The 5th Army advanced toward Gemas, where Captain Jack Duffy's engineers prepared a devastating surprise. When the bridge over the Gemensah River exploded, Duffy recalled the chaos: "Japanese bodies, bicycles, timber, rocks and earth flew far and wide in a huge red flash leaving a gaping space where the bridge had been." The 8th Australian Division's ambush mauled the Japanese column. Lieutenant Colonel Frederick "Black Jack" Galleghan held the position, his anti-tank gunners methodically dismantling enemy armor. Sergeant Kenneth Harrison, commanding a 2-pounder, described the grim ballet of tank warfare: "These burst on contact and the flash enabled me to see where we were hitting, and to adjust the sights accordingly. Eventually our infantry sent a message, 'Tank destroyed. Save ammunition.' It lay there with men crawling out like wood bugs from a burning log." After inflicting heavy losses, Harrison and his partner reflected on the moment: "we wave back rather lamely, but that was without doubt the proudest moment either of us will ever know." After 24 brutal hours, Galleghan withdrew. Tsuji, observing the Australians' ferocity, wrote they "fought with a bravery we had not previously seen." Fresh reinforcements—including the 53rd Infantry Brigade—arrived in Singapore, kindling hope that momentum might shift. Yet south of Gemas at Muar, Brigadier Horatio Duncan's 45th Brigade faced Japan's elite: Nishimura's Konoye Imperial Guards Division. The disparity was stark. By January 16th, Muar fell. Lieutenant Colonel John Williams, leading a Jat battalion of teenage recruits, was caught in a Japanese encirclement after being bypassed upstream. He was beheaded by a Japanese officer wielding a katana. On January 17th, Australian reinforcements under Lieutenant Colonel Charles Anderson arrived to stiffen the line at Bakri, but the situation remained precarious. As Duncan's brigade retreated, Percival grasped the threat: the Imperial Guards had become the spearhead. He committed Anderson's 19th Battalion to hold the door open while the 53rd Brigade deployed immediately into combat. One Australian officer, watching newly arrived British soldiers take up positions, noted their shock: "they were a fine body of men but almost dazed by the position in which they found themselves." The contrast was stark—while Australians fought for their lives, a British officer was reportedly heard discussing getting "the officers mess going." At Bakri, the air attacks became horrifying. Lieutenant Ben Hackney witnessed devastation that defied quick description: "just beside the road a naked waist with two twisted legs lay about two yards from a scarred bleeding head with a neck, half a chest and one arm." Gunner Russell Brandon saw their best soldier fall: "the black bastard was dead, our best soldier had not survived and we were now surrounded." The Imperial Guards attacked from multiple directions, tightening their encirclement. Malaya's situation had become critical. The defenders faced a dire situation. Muar had fallen with heavy losses to the 45th Indian Brigade, forcing a disheartening retreat. The Australians were driven from Gemas, and remnants of both forces regrouped at Bakri, establishing a defensive perimeter as Japanese forces converged. Nearly all of Duncan's officer staff had been killed in an aerial attack. The newly arrived 53rd Brigade—the 5th & 6th Norfolks and 2nd Cambridgeshires, fresh from three months at sea—were thrown into the frontlines without adequate acclimation or training for jungle warfare. Percival ordered a counterattack to recapture Muar, mobilizing the Garhwalis reserves for a three-pronged advance. But Lt. Colonel James Woolridge, the Garhwalis' commander, was killed during a dawn reconnaissance patrol. The counterattack collapsed into disaster. Most remaining British officers were killed or wounded; survivors seized Bren guns and attempted to hold a rubber estate before retreating to Bakri amid artillery and aerial bombardment. Australian gunners, watching the fleeing sepoys, dubbed them the "Galloping Garhwalis." On January 18th, General Nishimura of the Imperial Guards Division launched a three-pronged assault that turned into a siege. Captain Shiegeo Gotanda led a tank vanguard at 6:45 AM without infantry support, inspired by Shimada's success at Slim River. Waiting were 2-pounder guns commanded by Lance Sergeant Clarrie Thornton. As six tanks approached in single file through a narrow, heavily vegetated cutting, Thornton's crew hit the first, third, and fourth tanks. The armor-piercing rounds penetrated the T-95s with devastating internal damage. All six tanks were immobilized. A Japanese sniper shot Thornton in the thigh before he was evacuated; he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery. Encouraged by this victory, Percival decided to contain the Muar front but misjudged Japanese strength, believing it to be small when it was the entire Imperial Guards Division. Some Japanese forces had landed further down the coast, preparing to cut off the Muar-Bakri line from the south. Colonel Robertson was shot in the leg while riding a dispatch rider's motorbike and did not survive. Duncan, still recovering from an aerial bombardment that killed his officer staff, relinquished command to Lt. Colonel Charles Anderson. Anderson found himself commanding about 1,000 teenage Indian boys—just over a battalion—many only 17 years old. Though he held Indian soldiers in high regard from his East Africa experience, he expressed concern about their immaturity and lack of training. Some of Anderson's Australians launched a counterattack west of Bakri and trapped 200 Japanese soldiers. Platoon commander Patrick Reynolds described the chaos of Japanese soldiers "running in circles." When a seemingly dead enemy soldier suddenly rose with a grenade, Reynolds shot him just as it exploded, injuring himself. Another Japanese attempted to push his rifle toward Reynolds; when his pistol jammed, his batman shot the enemy soldier. The Australians increasingly believed rumors that the Japanese were "fanatics." Sergeant Desmond Mulcahy was searching a fallen Japanese sergeant's body when the man suddenly sprang up with a grenade. Mulcahy grabbed it to prevent detonation, but the Japanese sergeant struck him with it and punched him until another soldier bayoneted the attacker. Private Bluey Watkins set down his rifle to inspect Japanese bodies; one seized it and nearly shot him. The lesson was harsh: capturing Japanese alive was too risky. Private Charles Warden of B Company, just five months shy of 17, remarked, "from the first engagement we learned not to trust their wounded." The Australians killed approximately 140 of the 200 trapped Japanese, suffering only 10 casualties and 15 wounded—their high point in the campaign. By dawn on January 20th, Anderson received orders to withdraw toward Yong Peng. The Imperial Guards Division had established so many roadblocks that encirclement seemed imminent. A single company from the 19th Indians held off the Japanese while the rest retreated toward Parit Sulong, then found themselves nearly surrounded as the Japanese set up additional roadblocks. At the first roadblock, Anderson instructed his Australians to charge with bayonets while singing "Waltzing Matilda." Leading personally, he fired as he directed movements; the men likened him to a comic book hero come to life. As they neared Parit Sulong, Duncan—still recovering from concussion—commanded the rearguard and led a bayonet charge of Jats to recover lost vehicles. Anderson described him as "a very able and gallant officer," but Duncan was killed during the charge. By January 21st, they approached the Parit Sulong bridge, held securely by the Japanese. Two RAF Fairey Albacores and three Brewster Buffalo escorts arrived from Singapore to drop supplies, but when Australians rushed to collect them, they found only canned beetroot instead of bully beef. By January 22nd, Anderson knew holding the triangular perimeter was impossible. He attempted one final assault on the bridge. The Japanese had set up three barricades using sandbags, oil drums, and timber, covered by heavy machine guns on high ground. Approximately 30 Australians stormed while 100 provided cover fire. They breached the first barricade, reached the third, but machine gun fire blew apart the sandbags. With only five Australians left alive, they crawled back. Anderson ended the sacrifice, deeming it futile. He faced an impossible choice: abandon 150 severely wounded and break through the jungle to Yong Peng, about 12 miles away. They believed wounded would receive decent treatment; the Japanese had allowed Australian ambulances to pass at Gemas without interference. They did not yet know the truth. Initially, the Japanese were slow to close in, contenting themselves with sniping and probing. By 2:30 PM, wounded Lieutenants Hackney and Tibbitts lay beneath a wrecked utility truck supporting the rearguard with a Bren gun until ammunition ran out. The first Imperial Guards approached from the west, bayoneting and shooting anyone unable to escape. Those who made it across a drainage ditch were assembled in front of Public Works Department buildings and garages, sitting naked except for boots while Japanese searched them for weapons or maps. Requests for medical attention and water were denied. Many passing troops stopped "to have fun at the expense of the wounded defenders." Hackney noted, "the wound in my back attracted the attention of many who, whenever possible, took delight in kicking and belting the place." The Japanese did not reserve their hatred for whites alone. An Indian soldier with half his hand blown off and bleeding profusely from a thigh wound was beaten into unconsciousness, then when he rose groaning, subjected to frenzied kicks before a bayonet repeatedly thrust into him pushed him into the drainage ditch. When his head surfaced gasping for air, he was shot. Wounded prisoners were crammed into sheds. Hackney described it as "a stinking, scrambling hellhole, full of tortured, groaning, delirious soldiers." Lt. General Takuma Nishimura arrived and ordered disposal of the wounded. Guards appeared with water canteens and cigarettes as war correspondents photographed prisoners reaching for them. Once the correspondents left, the water was poured out, cigarettes pocketed, and prisoners forced back inside. Most Australians were tied together and shot. Japanese officers drew samurai swords to execute Indians. Many were doused with petrol and set alight. In Russell Braddon's words, "after their incineration, they were systematically run over, back and forth, by Japanese-driven trucks." Lance Havildar Benedict knocked the rifle from his executioner's hands and dove into the water, swimming away while Japanese fired wildly. Hackney, stabbed by a bayonet, pretended dead, hearing men burned alive nearby. He eventually found two survivors, Sergeant Ron Croft and another private, both reeking of petrol, who had escaped into the jungle. This became known as the Parit Sulong Massacre. Yamashita later claimed that had he commanded instead of Nishimura, such a massacre would not have occurred. Nishimura later oversaw occupational forces in Singapore and allegedly presided over the Sook Ching Massacre. He received a life sentence after the war but served only four years before returning to Japan. The Australian government apprehended him, subjected him to military court, convicted him, and executed him on June 11, 1951. The Muar battle signaled the end of serious Johore defense. Percival's last chance was a lateral line from Batu Pahat to Mersing, but Yamashita struck with a three-pronged offensive across both coasts and the central trunk road. On January 26th, a Hudson patrol spotted Japanese transports heading toward Endau. Air Vice Marshal Conway Pulford's squadrons—21 Vildebeest and Albacore torpedo bombers, 9 Hudsons, 15 Buffalos, and 8 Hawker Hurricanes—launched a mass daylight attack. The Hurricanes, equipped with air-intake filters and 12 machine guns instead of the usual 8, were less maneuverable than the Zero below 20,000 feet. Among the 24 pilots were 5 Australians, 1 Texan, and 4 Canadians, including future Australian Prime Minister John Gorton, who survived a crash that injured his face against his gunsight. Leading the first wave, Tim Rowland's Vildebeests were outfitted with 250-500 pound bombs due to shallow waters. The wave broke through clouds at 2,000 feet, heavily laden and slow—"an anti-aircraft gunners dream." Rowland's aircraft exploded mid-air before starting his bomb run. RAF Flight Lt Tom Lamb dived toward the beaches, later recalling: "It's a wonder the old crate didn't fall apart. Within seconds the sky was thick with aircraft… it was disconcerting to see rows of holes appearing all over the place in the fabric and hear the twang of parting wires. I could hear Sharp [his Australian gunner] blazing away and I heard him shout that he had got a Zero. At one time I could see five parachutes in the sky and two aircraft going down in flames… I dropped my bombs at little more than tree-top height… doing some vicious skids whenever attacked. Suddenly Gil Sharp gave a shout… A shell had got him right through the knee and the lower half of his leg was hanging off. Wills [sergeant observer] took over the gun." The initial wave faced not only anti-aircraft fire from IJN warships but 19 Nates and a single Nakajima Ki-44 "Tojo." It lost 5 Vildebeests but successfully bombed 2 transports and shot down 1 Nate. The second wave—9 Vildebeests, 3 Albacores, 4 Buffalos, and 7 Hurricanes—encountered problems as escorts arrived late. Before support could assist, 10 Nates and 2 Tojos intercepted them, resulting in the loss of 5 Vildebeests, 2 Albacores, and 1 Hurricane. Over 38 aircrew went missing, with 27 confirmed dead, including both squadron leaders. Air Vice Marshal Paul Maltby assured returning pilots there would be no more daylight attacks like that. Subsequent unescorted waves had little impact. That night, HMS Thanet and HMAS Vampire attempted a hit-and-run torpedo attack. Most torpedoes missed; both destroyers came under searchlight fire. Thanet was hit in the engine room, and her crew abandoned ship. Vampire could not safely rescue them and retreated to Singapore. Of Thanet's crew, 50 men, including Captain Lt. Commander Davis, struggled to reach shore on a grueling march back to Singapore. Some 30 sailors were rescued by the IJN destroyer Shirayuki, including Sub Lt. Danger, Thanet's torpedo officer. The Shirayuki later landed at Endau, where all sailors except Danger were murdered. Danger became significant as the first Royal Navy officer captured by the IJN. Endau fell to the Japanese 18th Division. Japanese forces bypassed Mersing, defended by the Australian 18th Battalion, who were ordered to withdraw as part of a general retreat to Singapore. At dawn, the 18th Battalion reached the Nithsdale rubber estate north of Jemaluang, where they ambushed a Japanese vanguard. Using Bren guns, 16 25-pounders, and mortars firing simultaneously, they trapped Yamashita's 18th Division troops between two companies. However, orders came to disengage and retreat to Jemaluang. By January 27th, Percival instructed all commanders to gather on Singapore; the causeway would be destroyed on February 1st. On January 28th, the 26th Australian Battalion covered Westforce's rearguard south of Simpang Rengam. After a frontal assault, the Japanese launched an outflanking maneuver through rubber plantations to cut the Trunk Road. Anticipating this, Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick "Black Jack" Galleghan launched a decisive counterattack using armored cars, inflicting heavy casualties and forcing retreat in disorder. However, Japanese toxic smoke bombs forced the Australians to withdraw hours later. By January 30th, Galleghan's 26th Battalion reached Singapore safely. Meanwhile, the 15th Brigade garrison at Batu Pahat, including survivors from Slim River and the 5th & 6th Norfolks and 2nd Cambridgeshires, was tasked with holding the defense to facilitate withdrawal. However, they lacked sufficient manpower for multiple choke points. During the Muar operation, the Japanese had inserted a battalion by boat into the area that now reinforced by Nishimura's Imperial Guards, penetrated British defenses on bicycles and established roadblocks similar to those used against Anderson's men. Brigadier Bernard Challen, recently taking over after Moorhead's death, had requested permission to retreat to Senggarang, 10 miles down the coast. Percival insisted on holding the large airfield, only 60 miles from Singapore, awaiting two additional brigades from the 18th East Anglian Division. As time passed, Percival ordered Challen to withdraw, but the message came too late; Challen's approximately 3,000 men were already retreating when they encountered a roadblock just 500 yards beyond a bridge. His force probed the defenses and discovered another block being established behind them. Challen's troops were becoming encircled, and his wireless communications with divisional HQ were down. A relief effort was initiated, sending men with two armored cars to advance 5 miles north of Rengit. They were immediately fired upon from all sides, with another roadblock established behind them. Vehicles and heavy guns were abandoned as they retreated to an outpost at Rengit, soon under siege. A small relief force reached Challen, informing him that Singapore's evacuation was imminent and they needed to hurry. Thus, Challen faced a situation similar to Anderson's at Parit Sulong—forced to leave the wounded behind. One night, as the force tried to cross a river, "a burst of machine gun fire and a salvo of mortar bombs scattered the leading company. The panic spread; many men were drowned in a swamp." Challen attempted to restore order but became hopelessly lost. He encountered Japanese soldiers who shot his Indian orderly. After crawling along the roadside and climbing over barricades (which the Japanese mistook him for one of their own), he stole a bicycle and rode away. At dawn on January 29th, after being separated for over 24 hours, he was captured by an Imperial Guards patrol as he exited a hut. He was the highest-ranking British prisoner captured to that point. Colonel Morrison took command and worked to restore order. Realizing they were cut off, he decided to lead 1,500 men back to the coast and attempt to arrange a naval pickup after dark. Morrison established a defensive perimeter in a coastal village about three miles south of Rengit, less than a mile from the coastal road. The navy responded by dispatching the Yangtze River gunboats Scorpion and Dragonfly, which towed numerous small boats, sampans, and dinghies. As troops navigated through mangroves, the situation drew comparisons to Dunkirk. Men were transported partially submerged in water at night, anxiously wondering about venomous snakes or crocodiles. The force successfully reached Singapore on February 1st after Indian sappers used naval depth charges to create a 70-foot-wide gap in the Causeway. The withdrawal went remarkably smoothly, with the Japanese not pressing hard. Defenders left to the sound of Argyll pipers playing "Blue Bonnets O'er the Border." Despite their good fortune, the cost was significant—several hundred men missing, all artillery abandoned, and about 80% of their Bren guns left behind. The situation on the central front was far worse. Brigadier George Painter's 22nd Indian Brigade, already weakened during fighting in Kuantan and numbering around 2,000 men, was cut off and disappeared while trying to escape into the jungle. The problem occurred because General Arthur Barstow's 9th Indian Division kept Painter's 22nd and Lay's 8th brigades farther inland to prevent outflanking of the Eastern Australians. A railway bridge between the two brigades was blown up prematurely, possibly by accident, severing the telephone line that facilitated communication. Painter had already sent back most wheeled transport, Bren gun carriers, and notably, his headquarters' wireless truck. Without the telephone line, Lay's 8th Brigade could not inform Painter's 22nd of their movement. The Japanese from the 5th Division quickly exploited the gap, inserting themselves between the brigades and effectively cutting off Painter's 22nd. When Barstow realized what happened, he exploded at Lay: "You've sold the show...hel take you, man, get a battalion on that high ground." Barstow made his way to the railway line, intent on warning Painter. Accompanied by two Australian officers and a Sikh, they boarded a push-pull flatbed trolley. They arrived at the blown-up bridge and continued on foot, with Barstow leading the way, distinguished by the red band around his major-general's service cap—a prime target for Japanese snipers, who ultimately shot him dead. After Admiral Phillips, Barstow became the second highest-ranking officer killed in the war to that point. The 22nd was at risk of complete encirclement, prompting their retreat into the jungle. They had not received rations or supplies in some time and had several wounded soldiers whom they refused to abandon. Captain Denis Russell-Roberts noted the stretcher bearers' struggle through jungle swamps at night: "Shortly all four men were floundering in the bog. The man on the off fore position suddenly staggered, his knees were shaking wildly. He sank to one knee with a shout of terror in his hoarse voice and the stretcher lurched over on its side… This was an awful moment and it happened over and over again in one form or another. I think it was the groans and at times the shrieks of the wounded which struck the deepest note of horror… On the other side of the crossing the same difficulties were encountered. There the wounded man would almost inevitably find himself tilted backwards at the same steep angle with his head close to the level of the mud and his body uncomfortably positioned in a semi-vertical position. And through this hell passed twelve stretchers, twelve wounded men who were by now gangrenous, delirious and half-mad, forty-eight gallant men who carried the stretchers… a slow-moving picture of unforgettable misery." Despite their efforts, they ultimately had to leave the wounded behind, entrusting them to Tamil rubber workers at a large estate. The remainder of the brigade continued southward. They encountered approximately 300-400 Japanese soldiers but chose to bypass them; their own men were starving and lacked strength for combat. Just as they prepared a rearguard, they were ambushed. Commander Parkin raised his Thompson submachine gun and urged his men to fire at every visible Japanese soldier, even though most were low on ammunition. Many Indians mistakenly believed Parkin intended to surrender and were stunned when he opted to fight instead. Painter's personal battalion soon encountered more Japanese forces and was forced to surrender. The day after the causeway was destroyed, Brigadier Parkin arrived in Singapore with 24 of his soldiers, having commandeered a Chinese truck, driven to the northern side of the straits, and signaled sampans for rescue. In following days, a few stragglers from Painter's 22nd also reached Singapore, bringing the total to 63 men. Painter's 22nd brigade suffered catastrophic loss, all due to a severed telephone line. Many men did not make it to Singapore, but those who did found only brief respite. Yamashita was now preparing to lay siege to the "Gibraltar of the East," the Fortress of Singapore. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Trapped at Parit Sulong, Anderson's Australians fought through Japanese roadblocks before being forced to abandon 150 wounded—who faced massacre at enemy hands. Meanwhile, Endau fell after a costly RAF raid. Challen's brigade at Batu Pahat retreated through chaos, while Painter's 22nd Indian Brigade vanished in the jungle after a severed telephone line cut them off. Singapore's fortress awaited.

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by CoffeeListings.com by Map It Forward. The marketplace where the coffee world does business. Launching Sept 17th, 2026. Follow https://www.instagram.com/coffeelistings/ to stay updated.Episode DescriptionThis is part 4 of a new 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar. Our guest on the podcast for this series is Jem McDowall, VP at Universal Commodities.In this episode, Lee and Jem examine how El Niño could affect the global tea industry far beyond the farm.Jem explains that early warning signs are already visible across major producing regions, including unusually dry conditions in East Africa, Malawi, and Indonesia, along with severe flooding in Assam and southern China.The concern is not simply lower yields.Tea depends on a narrow range of conditions for healthy growth, and both excessive rainfall and drought can damage crop quality and production. Extreme weather can also wash out roads and bridges, disrupt local transport, delay exports, and interfere with shipping routes.Jem explains that this risk is arriving at a particularly vulnerable moment.After roughly a decade of oversupply, global tea supply and demand have moved much closer to balance. That means the industry has far less excess production available to absorb a major disruption.The conversation also explores another layer of risk: fertilizer.Although fertilizer prices and availability have improved from recent peaks, costs remain elevated, and some farmers have already reduced applications. Jem explains how delayed distribution, reduced use, or fertilizer being washed away by heavy rain can further weaken bush health and future productivity.Lee and Jem also discuss the broader consequences of rising food prices and why smallholders may choose to divert fertilizer, abandon tea, or replace tea bushes with crops that provide faster or more reliable returns.That matters because around 65% of global tea production comes from smallholders.If farmers uproot tea rather than simply leave bushes temporarily unmanaged, replacing that production can take years.The result is a tea industry facing climate risk, input risk, logistics risk, and shrinking production buffers at the same time.Connect with Jem McDowall here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jem-mcdowall-826932b/ Universal Commodities:https://uctt.com/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you're subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. ***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward‘The Coffee Report': https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by CoffeeListings.com by Map It Forward. The marketplace where the coffee world does business. Launching Sept 17th, 2026. Follow https://www.instagram.com/coffeelistings/ to stay updated.Episode DescriptionThis is part 4 of a new 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar. Our guest on the podcast for this series is Jem McDowall, VP at Universal Commodities.In this episode, Lee and Jem examine how El Niño could affect the global tea industry far beyond the farm.Jem explains that early warning signs are already visible across major producing regions, including unusually dry conditions in East Africa, Malawi, and Indonesia, along with severe flooding in Assam and southern China.The concern is not simply lower yields.Tea depends on a narrow range of conditions for healthy growth, and both excessive rainfall and drought can damage crop quality and production. Extreme weather can also wash out roads and bridges, disrupt local transport, delay exports, and interfere with shipping routes.Jem explains that this risk is arriving at a particularly vulnerable moment.After roughly a decade of oversupply, global tea supply and demand have moved much closer to balance. That means the industry has far less excess production available to absorb a major disruption.The conversation also explores another layer of risk: fertilizer.Although fertilizer prices and availability have improved from recent peaks, costs remain elevated, and some farmers have already reduced applications. Jem explains how delayed distribution, reduced use, or fertilizer being washed away by heavy rain can further weaken bush health and future productivity.Lee and Jem also discuss the broader consequences of rising food prices and why smallholders may choose to divert fertilizer, abandon tea, or replace tea bushes with crops that provide faster or more reliable returns.That matters because around 65% of global tea production comes from smallholders.If farmers uproot tea rather than simply leave bushes temporarily unmanaged, replacing that production can take years.The result is a tea industry facing climate risk, input risk, logistics risk, and shrinking production buffers at the same time.Connect with Jem McDowall here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jem-mcdowall-826932b/ Universal Commodities:https://uctt.com/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you're subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. ***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward‘The Coffee Report': https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward‍ ‍Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

In this episode of Farmer's Inside Track, Byron Latrobe, technical sales advisor for Netafim Southern and East Africa, discusses precision drip irrigation for onion seed production. Byron explains how dripper spacing and irrigation uniformity influence root development, flowering, pollination and yields, while highlighting the importance of maintaining a dry flower environment to support bees and reduce disease pressure. Learn more about managing saline water through leaching, using fertigation to improve nutrient efficiency, and the advantages of thin-wall drip lines for seed producers. Byron also shares practical advice on installation, retrieval, maintenance and filtration, and explains why farmers should start by understanding their water quality and soil conditions before designing an irrigation system.

Church historian Kevin Schmiesing joins Matt Swaim on Driving Home the Faith for a look at two significant moments in Catholic history! First, the 1964 marriage of conservative intellectual Russell Kirk and his devout Catholic wife Annette—a couple whose home, Piety Hill, became both a bustling think tank and a refuge for those in need. Then, the life and legacy of Abba Gebremichael Maconen, an Ethiopian Catholic priest who helped build the Church's educational and charitable presence in East Africa before his death in 1993. Stream the history segment now!Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Inside the Food Economy, we look at the role of finance in Africa's agrifood sector with Dorothy Kyomuhangi Senior Investment Associate at Pearl Capital Partners.Dorothy shares her perspective on financing agribusinesses, the types of businesses attracting capital, and what it takes to deploy patient and appropriately structured capital across production, aggregation, processing, value addition and distribution.We also discuss the realities of investing across East Africa and the wider Sub-Saharan African market, and what businesses need to understand when seeking capital for growth.Inside the Food Economy is a special series on the Let's Talk Agriculture Podcast by LTA Forum, exploring how different parts of Africa's food economy work through the people building, financing and operating within them.Support us on selar.com!

On September 11, 2001, I was 21 years old and working at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, where crews had spent the previous day loading in the band 311 for a multi-day event. After working a 16-hour shift, I was asleep when my mother woke me to say that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. At first, I assumed it was a small aircraft and a tragic accident. That changed when I went downstairs and watched the second plane strike the other tower. Standing in my parents' living room, I looked at them and said, “We are under attack.” The fear quickly became personal because I had family working on Wall Street and elsewhere in New York, while nobody yet knew the full scope of the attacks or whether more were coming. For many Americans, including me, the attacks shattered a long-held sense that the United States was largely insulated from the kind of terrorism and political violence that had been associated with conflicts overseas.The attacks also changed the direction of my life. Before September 11, I was studying entertainment law and planned to pursue a career as a sports agent, but afterward I became focused on understanding the forces behind the attacks and the ideology of groups such as al-Qaeda. I changed my major to political science with an emphasis on the Near East and began studying the history of the region, the relationship between the Muslim world and the West, and the development of modern jihadist movements. That study also made clear that September 11 did not emerge without warning, following earlier attacks that included the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa, and the attack on the USS Cole. The attacks marked the end of a period of personal and national innocence, replacing assumptions of security with a recognition that ideological violence could reach directly into American life. Twenty-five years later, the memory remains vivid, not only because of what happened that morning, but because of how completely it altered the way I understood the world and the path I chose to follow.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Guest BioJack Fleckney is the founder of Legend Expeditions, a Tanzania-based company specializing in guided Kilimanjaro climbs and African safaris. A former Royal Marine Commando, Jack combines his military discipline and extensive expedition experience with a deep knowledge of East Africa to offer well-supported, carefully planned adventure travel. Fluent in Swahili, he has led numerous successful climbs to Kilimanjaro's summit and has completed remarkable endurance challenges such as rowing across the Atlantic and kayaking the Okavango Delta.Show SummaryIn this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Jack Fleckney about his journey from a Royal Marine Commando to a respected Kilimanjaro expedition leader and founder of Legend Expeditions. They explore the unique approach Jack takes to guiding climbers, emphasizing acclimatization, comfort, and rigorous support to maximize summit success rates.Jack shares insights on the challenges of climbing Kilimanjaro, including the importance of pacing, hygiene, nutrition, and the mental demands of summit night. He also offers a detailed look into the local team's roles—from guides to porters and chefs—and how the company's commitment to fair wages and support is central to both the client experience and community well-being.The conversation touches on Jack's personal adventures, such as rowing across the Atlantic and kayaking through Africa's wild landscapes, and the balance he's found between pursuing big challenges and building a sustainable business and family life in Tanzania. Big World Made Small guest features are invitation-only and selected based on story, experience, and fit with the show. Guest support helps make the episode possible, but it does not determine who is featured. This helps keep the show free of third-party ads and interruptions while keeping the focus on real, story-driven conversations.Learn more about the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates & special access to our guests.Are you a tourism expert with a story to share? Let's connect.

On September 11, 2001, I was 21 years old and working at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, where crews had spent the previous day loading in the band 311 for a multi-day event. After working a 16-hour shift, I was asleep when my mother woke me to say that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. At first, I assumed it was a small aircraft and a tragic accident. That changed when I went downstairs and watched the second plane strike the other tower. Standing in my parents' living room, I looked at them and said, “We are under attack.” The fear quickly became personal because I had family working on Wall Street and elsewhere in New York, while nobody yet knew the full scope of the attacks or whether more were coming. For many Americans, including me, the attacks shattered a long-held sense that the United States was largely insulated from the kind of terrorism and political violence that had been associated with conflicts overseas.The attacks also changed the direction of my life. Before September 11, I was studying entertainment law and planned to pursue a career as a sports agent, but afterward I became focused on understanding the forces behind the attacks and the ideology of groups such as al-Qaeda. I changed my major to political science with an emphasis on the Near East and began studying the history of the region, the relationship between the Muslim world and the West, and the development of modern jihadist movements. That study also made clear that September 11 did not emerge without warning, following earlier attacks that included the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa, and the attack on the USS Cole. The attacks marked the end of a period of personal and national innocence, replacing assumptions of security with a recognition that ideological violence could reach directly into American life. Twenty-five years later, the memory remains vivid, not only because of what happened that morning, but because of how completely it altered the way I understood the world and the path I chose to follow.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

On September 11, 2001, I was 21 years old and working at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, where crews had spent the previous day loading in the band 311 for a multi-day event. After working a 16-hour shift, I was asleep when my mother woke me to say that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. At first, I assumed it was a small aircraft and a tragic accident. That changed when I went downstairs and watched the second plane strike the other tower. Standing in my parents' living room, I looked at them and said, “We are under attack.” The fear quickly became personal because I had family working on Wall Street and elsewhere in New York, while nobody yet knew the full scope of the attacks or whether more were coming. For many Americans, including me, the attacks shattered a long-held sense that the United States was largely insulated from the kind of terrorism and political violence that had been associated with conflicts overseas.The attacks also changed the direction of my life. Before September 11, I was studying entertainment law and planned to pursue a career as a sports agent, but afterward I became focused on understanding the forces behind the attacks and the ideology of groups such as al-Qaeda. I changed my major to political science with an emphasis on the Near East and began studying the history of the region, the relationship between the Muslim world and the West, and the development of modern jihadist movements. That study also made clear that September 11 did not emerge without warning, following earlier attacks that included the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa, and the attack on the USS Cole. The attacks marked the end of a period of personal and national innocence, replacing assumptions of security with a recognition that ideological violence could reach directly into American life. Twenty-five years later, the memory remains vivid, not only because of what happened that morning, but because of how completely it altered the way I understood the world and the path I chose to follow.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

In this episode of the Unconventional Ministry Podcast, we consider how the first step toward sharing the Gospel can begin with something as simple as a glass of clean water. Host Dennis Wiens talks with Michael Ryer of Amigos Internacionales about how practical compassion can open doors to relationships, trust, and lasting spiritual transformation across East Africa. In communities in northern Uganda, Tanzania, and beyond, the needs are immediate – clean water, education, medical care, economic opportunity, and hope. But Michael explains why simply meeting an urgent need and moving on isn't enough. Through the MissionPoint model, Amigos Internacionales takes a long-term approach that brings together clean water, schools, healthcare, local churches, skills training, agriculture, and community leadership. The goal isn't dependency; it's helping families and communities move toward dignity, sustainability, and flourishing. You'll hear how water wells can improve children's health, safety, and school attendance; how sewing, soap-making, gardening, livestock, and other skills create pathways toward self-support; and how years of building trusted relationships have opened unexpected opportunities for ministry and community transformation. Drawing from his own years of ministry and sustainable community development in Africa, Dennis explores an important question for every church and ministry leader: What happens when we stop looking for quick ministry results and commit to staying long enough to build trust? If you care about global missions, church partnerships, community development, child sponsorship, or integrating practical compassion with Gospel ministry, this conversation will challenge and inspire you. The unconventional ministry lesson for all of us: Don't just ask, “What can I give someone?” Ask, “How can I build the kind of relationship that creates lasting change?”

Can Mexico build an electric car for $8,000, and use it to create an entirely new domestic industry? This week on Cleaning Up, Bryony Worthington visits Mexico City to sit down with Roberto Capuano, director of the Olinia Project, and discuss the state-backed effort to develop a new generation of affordable electric mini-vehicles. Roberto explains why Olinia is designing small EVs specifically around the needs of Mexican cities, how partnerships with Chinese suppliers could accelerate technology transfer, and why price rather than subsidies could ultimately drive EV adoption. They also discuss Mexico's ambitions beyond its domestic market, with potential demand across Latin America and even East Africa.Topics discussed in this episode:Why Mexico wants its own carmakerElectrifying Mexico City's public transportThe rise of electric mini-carsBuilding an $8,000 Mexican EVWhy Olinia is partnering with ChinaThe state's role in carmakingBuilding a Latin American EV marketCan Olinia deliver by 2027? Leadership Circle:Cleaning Up is proud to be supported by its Leadership Circle. The members are Actis, Alcazar Energy, Arup, Climate Imperative Foundation, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Cygnum Capital, Davidson Kempner, EcoPragma Capital, EDP, Eurelectric, KKR, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Schneider Electric, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information on the Leadership Circle, please visit cleaningup.live.Links:Roberto Capuano's bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-capuano/ Olinia Project: https://www.olinia.auto/ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://cleaninguppod.substack.com/ OEM: Original Equipment ManufacturerBRT: Bus Rapid Transit R&D: Research & DevelopmentICE: Internal Combustion Engine Chapters:00:00 Intro 02:15 Electrifying Mexico City 10:33 Olinia's Origins 11:58 Mini Electric Cars 18:48 Made in Mexico 21:25 State-Led Industry 30:33 Chinese Supply Chains 36:31 The $8,000 EV 40:01 Charging Infrastructure 42:54 Global Ambitions 45:43 Scaling Olinia 48:40 Software and Autonomy 50:01 Political Longevity 55:31 Outro

Sean and Andrew are finishing up their conversation about nitrogen with Iowa State University's Dr. Mike Castellano and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Dr. Andrew Margenot. This time, they're focusing on how you can manage nitrogen on your acres to achieve high yields, reduce environmental impact and improve your bottom line.   The crew discusses: ✅ How to be stewards of the land while chasing high yields ✅ Understanding nitrogen availability throughout the growing season ✅ Trials you can do on your acres to expand your farm's  database ✅ Replenishing the nutrient pool in your soils ✅ Ideal nitrogen timing and application rates across the Midwest  

Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano interviews Jack Langton, who cycled 8,000 miles from London to Singapore. Over 150 days, Langton trained on the road, braved solo camping, and navigated intense environments like India and Turkey. He emphasizes the overwhelming generosity he encountered, especially throughout Central Asia. After returning to his consulting career, Langton launched "The Human Project," creating mini-documentaries that capture diverse global stories. His filmmaking journey has taken him across the U.S., East Africa, and Europe. Jack discusses building trust with subjects ranging from traveling circus performers to NGOs tackling social issues like FGM and albinism-related threats in Kenya and Uganda. Through these short films, he highlights resilient communities, including Nairobi’s street kids and Ugandan skate culture, bridging human experiences through digital storytelling. HUMN: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Tune in Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Sponsored in part by Hankook Dynapro Tires and Mohab See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do some countries become prosperous while others remain trapped in poverty? In this episode of The Long Form Podcast, Sanny Ntayombya sits down with Sandeep Khapre, Regional CEO of BDO East Africa, to examine what it will really take for East Africa to become wealthy.Sandeep explains what investors actually look for before putting money into African countries, where governments get economic development wrong, and whether Africa is building genuinely productive economies. Sponsors:ShieldTech Hub- https://www.shieldtechub.com                                           Akagera Medicines- https://www.akageramedicines.com BasiGo Rwanda- https://www.basi-go.com/rwanda CanalBox-https://www.canalbox.rw Join our Patreon to enjoy ad-free viewing https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheLongFormPod or support us via our MTN Mobile Money Code 95462 or directly to our phone number: +250795462739Visit Sanny Ntayombya's Official Website: https://sannyntayombya.comProduced by LF Media 

What was it like to interview Osama bin Laden in the Tora Bora caves? Who were the other terrorists behind the infamous 1998 fatwa? How did Monica Lewinsky derail the response to the East Africa embassy bombings?  In Episode 5 of this series, Williams and Anita are joined by CNN's national security analyst Peter Bergen, the producer of bin Laden's first television interview, to discuss the terrorist leader's declaration of war.   Use code 'EMPIRE'  to get an additional 2% - on top of the 10% discount - for orders placed before 8th September at this link: https://uk.plaud.ai/empire For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Assistant Producer: Imogen Marriott Editor: Charlie Rodwell Social Producer: Charlie Johnson Producer: Anouska Lewis Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of ‘My Identity' Professor Colin Graham (Maynooth) is in conversation with Senator Patricia Stephenson. Patricia Stephenson is Social Democrats Senator for the Labour Panel in Seanad Éireann. Growing up in post-conflict Belfast, Patricia was influenced by the region's challenges. Prior to her political career, she spent almost a decade working in international development, including six years living in East Africa, including South Sudan and Uganda. Motivated by the struggles she has observed in accessing essential services and housing since returning to Ireland, she entered politics to advocate for change. She is a vocal proponent of women's rights and prioritises marginalised voices in her approach to policy-making. The My Identity series is hosted by Professor Colin Graham, Maynooth. In this series, Colin is in conversation with a range of people whose ideas, work and life experiences shed light on the topic of identity on the Island of Ireland. My Identity is part of the ARINS project. Colin Graham is Professor English and formerly Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Maynooth University. His books include Northern Ireland: Thirty Years of Photography, Deconstructing Ireland and Ideologies of Epic. He was editor of The Irish Review from 2004 to 2020. During the Brexit negotiations he created the Twitter account @borderirish and wrote the book I am the Border, so I am, published by HarperCollins. ARINS: Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South brings together experts to provide evidence-based research and analysis on the most significant questions of policy and public debate facing the island of Ireland, north and south. The project publishes, facilitates and disseminates research on the challenges and opportunities presented to the island in a post-Brexit context, with the intention of contributing to an informed public discourse. More information can be found at WWW.ARINSPROJECT.COM ARINS is a joint project of The Royal Irish Academy, an all-island body, and the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies at Notre Dame's Keough School of Global Affairs. My Identity is hosted by Professor Colin Graham. Podcast management by Dr Susie Deedigan (University of Notre Dame).

Some of Nairobi's most memorable musical moments don't happen in clubs. They happen in the streets. For Episode #085 of Deeper Sounds of Nairobi, Jack Rooster takes the decks to the very heart of the city, delivering a special live set from Kenyatta Avenue, the beating pulse of Nairobi's Central Business District, courtesy of the legendary CBDeep Crew. Against the backdrop of bustling streets, ambitious dreamers, matatu culture, and the unmistakable energy that makes Nairobi one of Africa's most dynamic cities, Jack Rooster crafts a musical journey connecting the soul of Kenya to the global Afro House movement. This episode celebrates the sounds, stories, and spirit of urban Africa through deep, soulful, and melodic grooves from some of the continent's finest artists.

Wildlife trafficking is usually associated with elephants and rhinos. But in East Africa, a much smaller creature is becoming part of the illegal trade: the Giant African Harvester Ant. A single queen can fetch €200. But these ants still play a vital role in their ecosystems. Lucy Riley speaks with ant expert Dino Martins and DW's Andrew Wasike in Nairobi about the growing trade in African ants.

In coffee we can often question the impact of our efforts. Over time though, small consistent steps in the right direction can not only carry you over many miles, it can transform you and those for whom you are working. What may seem like plodding work now, is the foundation for what will be built in the future.  Today we are talking with someone whose work has taken several turns over the years. All of which were in the direction of uplifting farmers with whatever means were at hand. Today the massive impact of those consistent actions has led to impact beyond measure.  We are talking with Ben Carlson of Long Miles Coffee. Ben Carlson is a coffee industry leader and social entrepreneur with 23 years of global experience, including 16 years on the ground in East Africa. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Ben serves as the CEO, Chief Culture Creator, and Sales Director of Long Miles Coffee—an impact-driven organization dedicated to producing world-class specialty coffee while uplifting smallholder farming communities out of generational poverty. Ben's journey in East Africa began in 2010 following a quality survey of Burundi's coffee sector. Driven by a vision to challenge exploitative supply chains, he transitioned from coffee trading to hands-on production, founding Long Miles Coffee in 2013 alongside his wife, Kristy. What started with a single washing station serving 180 families in Bukeye, Burundi, has scaled into a multi-country operation employing over 130 team members and supporting more than 9,500 farming families across Burundi and Uganda. Under Ben's leadership, Long Miles has consistently set benchmarks for quality and sustainability, earning numerous Cup of Excellence awards and achieving Burundi's highest coffee sales per pound. His current work focuses on pioneering climate-resilient agriculture, including building Africa's first carbon-neutral, minimal-water coffee processing facility and developing a regenerative model farm on Mount Elgon in Western Kenya. Recognized as Imbibe Magazine's "Coffee Person of the Year," Ben is a frequent international speaker, event host, and competition judge on impact-driven business models and sustainable agriculture. He also serves as the regional distributor for Ecotact protective packaging in Uganda and Kenya. Ben lives in Kenya with his family, continuing his mission to reshape the future of African specialty coffee. We discuss:  The start of Long Miles Coffee and its initial vision Impact of coffee on local communities in Burundi Challenges and innovations in coffee farming and processing Scaling the impact: From 100 families to thousands The social programs: Coffee Kids Camp and community development Market response and the future of Long Miles Coffee Advice for those who want to make a difference     KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER! Book a free call now:  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min  Related episodes: COVID-19 Focus: Perspective from Burundi w/ Jeanine Niyonzima-Aroian, JNP Coffee 451: Business Growth, Integrity, and Coffee Farmer Equity w/ Martin Mayorga of Mayorga Coffee Sustainability Series #1 : The Farm 153 : Exploring the Peace Trade in the Congo w/ Mighty Peace Coffee SPONSORS! "Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!    The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series! 

John Kilmer is back

Sean and Andrew are back with two of the leading nitrogen experts in the field, Iowa State University's Dr. Mike Castellano and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Dr. Andrew Margenot, to dig into the science of nitrogen in row crop systems.   The crew discusses: ✅ The relationship between nitrogen and phosphorus ✅ Trials used to evaluate nitrogen use and loss ✅ How nutrients are lost from the soil and how soil is lost from the field ✅ Responsibly managing inputs in a tight economy ✅ What happens to nitrogen in the soil after application  

At the height of their power, the Ptolemaic dynasty took a great interest in the lands that lay south of the Nile Valley and the waters of the Red Sea. Explorers, elephant hunters, and mining teams travelled along the coastline as far as Somalia, providing invaluable reports about East Africa that would not be rivaled until the Medieval period. They were also able to exploit the riches of the continent, and built the infrastructure that would lead to the Indo-Mediterranean trade routes. These activities would also bring them into contact (and conflict) with the Kingdom of Meroë, the last great Nubian civilization of ancient Kush, who competed for dominance with both the Ptolemies and the Romans. Episode Notes: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/08/23/125-ptolemaic-egypt-east-africa-the-red-sea-and-nubia/) Episode Transcript: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/125-ptolemaic-egypt-east-africa-the-red-sea-and-nubia-transcript.pdf) Social Media: Twitter (https://twitter.com/HellenisticPod) Facebook (www.facebook.com/hellenisticagepodcast/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hellenistic_age_podcast/) Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/hellenisticpod.bsky.social) Show Merchandise: Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/HellenisticAgePod) ImperialWares (https://tinyurl.com/ybmpk7xd) Redbubble (https://www.redbubble.com/people/HellenisticPod/shop?asc=u) Donations: Patreon (https://patreon.com/TheHellenisticAgePodcast) Ko-Fi (https://ko-fi.com/hellenisticagepodcast) Amazon Book Wish List (https://tinyurl.com/vfw6ask)

Welcome back to our weekend Cabral HouseCall shows!   This is where we answer our community's wellness, weight loss, and anti-aging questions to help people get back on track!   Check out today's questions:    Anonymous: Good day Dr.Cabral, your doing great work! Can't imagine how proud your family and team are to have you. My question is regarding elevated CRP (didn't do HS-CRP) just did bloodwork for CRP. Which was 13. Also Lip (a) is 180.. which is high due to genetics. In combination.. A1C is creeping up at 6.1.. I know your not giving health advice however, what foods, products help? Berberine? Omega 3s? Thanks!       Matthew: Hi Dr Cabral-thanks for everything you do. My question is on turmeric. I have seen posts that turmeric supplements, especially those that also contain black pepper, are harmful to the liver. Do you agree? If so, what about turmeric that do not include the black pepper? If turmeric supplement's harm to the liver is higher than the benefit, do you have suggestions on a replacement? Thank you     Jasmine: I think my daughter has Lipedema, I've watched a few of your videos and have researched this topic but have never had this topic addressed: she drinks about a liter and a half of water a day, but doesn't urinate that much, never gets up at night, can go the whole day without. Is this affecting her Lipedema and any info you can share, your ideas/opinions would be appreciated. We do things holistically, no drugs unless absolutely necessary (emergency situations), and I don't think diuretics are the way to go. Thanks for any info, Jasmine       Andrea: Hi Dr. Cabral, What is your opinion of the laser therapy for the brain for improved cognition, lymphatic flow? I was made aware of PBM would love to know your opinion. Thanks for everything, grateful for you!       Anonymous: Good morning Dr.Cabral, How would you go about supporting the body naturally dealing with Hepatitis B (chronic).. This has unfortunately been undetected for years due to being born in East Africa. In turn, this long-term Hep B has lead to Hepatocellular caricoma.. However, after a lot of research, the root cause was the Chronic Hep B.. want to deal with this then support the body to shrink the liver mass. Thoughts? Not asking for medical advice. did the HTMA (was unremarkable) but noticing a bit of itching and upper abdominal pain.         Thank you for tuning into today's Cabral HouseCall and be sure to check back tomorrow where we answer more of our community's questions!      - - - Show Notes and Resources: StephenCabral.com/3851 - - - Get a FREE Copy of Dr. Cabral's Book: The Rain Barrel Effect - - - Join the Community & Get Your Questions Answered: CabralSupportGroup.com - - - Dr. Cabral's Most Popular At-Home Lab Tests: > Complete Minerals & Metals Test (Test for mineral imbalances & heavy metal toxicity) - - - > Complete Candida, Metabolic & Vitamins Test (Test for 75 biomarkers including yeast & bacterial gut overgrowth, as well as vitamin levels) - - - > Complete Stress, Mood & Metabolism Test (Discover your complete thyroid, adrenal, hormone, vitamin D & insulin levels) - - - > Complete Food Sensitivity Test (Find out your hidden food sensitivities) - - - > Complete Omega-3 & Inflammation Test (Discover your levels of inflammation related to your omega-6 to omega-3 levels) - - - Get Your Question Answered On An Upcoming HouseCall: StephenCabral.com/askcabral - - - Would You Take 30 Seconds To Rate & Review The Cabral Concept? The best way to help me spread our mission of true natural health is to pass on the good word, and I read and appreciate every review!  

Article - East Africa's Heritage 2

Today's Guest Shannon Fernando-Rubera is a global humanitarian, nurse practitioner, TEDx speaker, and founder and CEO of Alabaster International. Alabaster International is an organization advancing community-led solutions of the world's most remote, underserved, and conflict-affected regions. She is known for doing what few are willing to do, which is going to where others won't. From rural villages in East Africa to disaster zones in war-affected areas, Shannon leads efforts on the front lines where access to healthcare, nutrition, education, and economic opportunity are severely limited. Her work is hands-on, delivering mobile and field-based medical care while working side-by-side with communities to co-build systems across health, food sovereignty, women's entrepreneurship, and education, carried forward by those they serve. Links for Alabaster International https://www.alabasterinternational.org/ https://www.instagram.com/alabaster_international/ https://www.facebook.com/AlabasterInternational/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR2VZ7IX6OxdYLVPxnUdHBQ About Dr. Raj Dr. Raj Dasgupta is an ABIM Quadruple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, pulmonology, critical care, and sleep medicine. He is currently the Associate Program Director of Internal Medicine Residency at Huntington Health in Pasadena, California and an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine for the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine (UCR). He previously practiced at the University of Southern California, where he is an associate professor of clinical medicine, assistant program director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program, and the associate program director of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship. Dr. Dasgupta is an active clinical researcher and has been teaching around the world for more than 20 years. More from Dr. Raj The Dr. Raj Podcast Dr. Raj on Twitter Dr. Raj on Instagram Want more board review content? USMLE Step 1 Ad-Free Bundle Crush Step 1 Step 2 Secrets Beyond the Pearls The Dr. Raj Podcast Beyond the Pearls Premium USMLE Step 3 Review MedPrepTGo Step 1 Questions MedPrepTGo Step 2 Questions Follow MedPrepToGo https://medpreptogo.com https://www.instagram.com/medpreptogo/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/medpreptogo/ https://www.facebook.com/MedPrepToGo/ https://www.youtube.com/@MedPrepToGo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Article - East Africa's Heritage

Kenya is East Africa at its most iconic — the Africa of documentaries and daydreams. Endless golden savannah roamed by lions and elephants, snow-flecked peaks, a Swahili coast of dhows and carved doors, and a fast, modern capital where rhinos graze against a skyline. It's the cradle of humankind, a major continental hub, and one of the great safari destinations on Earth — a country that has a habit of feeling, almost immediately, like home.Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to Kenya just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membershipThanks for all your support!TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 392 Ancient wildfires may have shaped the course of human evolution. A reconstruction of the environment in East Africa 1.75 million years ago suggests a particularly volatile period of climate change made our species adapt rapidly. Climate swings may have led our species to develop sophisticated tools. Ancient hominins may have also learnt to control fire thanks to frequent wildfires during this period.  As wildfires become increasingly common, currently devastating parts of Europe including the UK, will humans have to adapt again? Could it even force rapid evolution in our species? Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet are joined by Sam Wong and Michael Le Page to discuss the finding and what it means for humans today. To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the last few episodes we have tracked the miraculous discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand — the importance of which cannot really be overstated. While diamonds placed South Africa on the map, gold was going to convert the struggling region into a financial paradise for British financiers — and therein lies the imperial rub. However, it's time to step back a tad to provide an historical overview for the late 1880s and it's also time to zoom out of southern Africa to take a good hard look at global events. For centuries before European powers drew border lines across maps of the continent, the western Indian Ocean functioned as a single economic basin. Fleets of dhow's linked Gujarat, the Persian Gulf, the South Arabian coast, and the Swahili littoral, their journey's dictated by the predictable rhythm of the monsoon winds which blow southwest toward Africa from November to March and reverse northeast toward Arabia and India from April to September, This was a commercial matrix of city-states fueled by the exchange of African ivory, timber, gold, and slaves for Indian textiles, Chinese porcelain, and Middle Eastern metalwork. The Sultanate of Zanzibar was born directly out of this maritime deep history. In 1840, Sultan Seyyid Said of Oman moved his royal court from Muscat to Stone Town on the island of Zanzibar. By anchoring his authority off the East African coast, he consolidated control over the lucrative trade routes stretching deep into the African interior to the Great Lakes. The island served as a massive commercial emporium and agricultural power, built heavily on clove plantations operated by slaves while Indian merchant financiers—the banyans—backed the long-distance caravans into the mainland. Sultan Barghash bin Said was a proud son of the legendary Seyyid Said, inheriting the throne of Stone Town in 1870 while his brother Majid was bequethed Oman itself. Sharper and more ambitious than Majid, Barghash spent his eighteen-year reign modernizing Zanzibar—building piped water systems, telegraph links, and grand stone palaces. But his survival relied on a faustian bargain. Guided by Sir John Kirk—the British Consul-General who became his shadow advisor—Barghash aligned his dynasty entirely with London. Kirk was the single most influential British official in East Africa during the late 19th century. A Scottish physician, naturalist, and explorer, he first gained prominence as David Livingstone's trusted second-in-command on the Zambezi Expedition between 1858 and 1864. In 1866, he was appointed to the British Agency in Zanzibar, eventually rising to become Consul-General and Political Agent. When German agent Carl Peters began seizing territory on the mainland, London chose European alliance-building with Berlin over its promises to Zanzibar. In 1873, under direct British gunboat pressure, Barghash signed the treaty that outlawed the maritime slave trade and shut down Stone Town's notorious public slave market. It was an act of political self-mutilation; it deeply alienated his own Omani elite and rich plantation owners, but Barghash traded his domestic standing for what he believed was an ironclad guarantee of British protection over his mainland empire. Unfortunately, that gamble proved fatal. The Foreign Office in London watched the global map with growing anxiety as rival flags sprouted across the continent. What infuriated British diplomats most was a sudden, unnatural alliance between their two greatest rivals: France and Germany. Furious over Britain's unilateral grab of Egypt in 1882, the French teamed up with Otto von Bismarck to check British ambition. London had tried a sly maneuver in West Africa—signing a treaty with a weak Portugal to recognize Portuguese control over the mouth of the Congo, effectively using Lisbon as a buffer to keep other powers out. But Bismarck saw right through it.

Most people plan an African safari without realizing the Indian Ocean is right there. We've now added a beach stay to our safari, where we checked out both Diani Beach in Kenya and Zanzibar and we are here to say we think it's an excellent idea before heading home. In this episode, we introduce you to Diani Beach, Kenya, compare it honestly with Zanzibar, and help you decide which one might be the best fit for the end of your safari trip. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure. What We Cover in This Epsiode Why you should consider adding a few days at the beach to your safari. The journey home from East Africa can be brutal, and after a week of 5 am game drives, you may not be as rested as you think. We make the case for four or five extra days in one of these locations and explain why it's a lot easier to pull off than most people assume. (We went from a morning game drive in the Maasai Mara to sitting on a beach by that same afternoon.) Diani Beach: the one you probably haven't heard of is on the Kenyan coast, south of Mombasa, and it's quieter, more local, and considerably less expensive than Zanzibar. We stayed at Eleven Pearl Boutique Hotel, a 20-room property right on the beach. Our honest review: what it delivers, what it doesn't, and who it's perfect for. Other Diani options worth knowing. We also visited the Sands at Nomad and the very unique Chale Island Resort, where the tide determines how you arrive. At low tide, a tractor pulls you across. We'll explain. Zanzibar vs. Diani: the real comparison. Beach quality, water clarity, activities, food, vibe, beach vendors, getting around, and the price difference that genuinely surprised us. (The food and drink total for four nights in Diani will raise your eyebrows.) Matching the destination to the traveler. Honeymooners, luxury seekers, budget travelers, first-time visitors to Africa, families. We go through them all and tell you which destination fits which traveler, without preparing our answers in advance. Here are our Quick Tips No extra visa needed for Diani if you're already on a Kenya safari since you're still in Kenya Zanzibar requires a Tanzania visa plus their own mandatory travel insurance (~$45/person) — factor that into the total cost Getting around Diani: tuk-tuks during the day, Uber at night — your hotel can call a trusted one At both destinations, tides are dramatic and affect where you can walk and when excursions run. If you want to buy from beach vendors, ask for exactly what you want since custom is often on the table Resources Episode 183 — our full Zanzibar episode (Turaco Nungwi Beach Resort, the Dream Dhow, Stone Town, and the mandatory insurance explained): listen before this one Dream Dhow snorkeling trip near Mnemba Island Kenya Group Safari, June 2027 — we're leading a small group, vehicles capped at 3–4 guests: sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/safari-group-trip Plan your trip: sunshinetravelersexperiences.com More Resources & Links: Get Our FREE Ultimate Packing Guide See ALL our Favorite Travel Resources Don't waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, get Flykitt and watch Jet Lag disappear! Protect your privacy, boost your security, and keep your browsing data safe with Express VPN. Plus, get 3 months free with a yearly plan. Follow Sunshine Travelers Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Read more about this and other travel destinations on our BLOG Follow our travels on TikTok @sunshinetravelerspodcast Follow us on X @sunshinetrvlrs Connect with us on LinkedIn @sunshinetravelerspodcast Get travel tips and follow our travels on Instagram: @sunshinetravelerspodcast Follow us on Facebook @sunshinetravelerspodcast Connect with us on Threads @sunshinetravelerspodcast See our travel videos on YouTube @sunshinetravelerspodcast Save our travel ideas on Pinterest @sunshinetravelerspodcast Music: This Acoustic Happy Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

Zanzibar delivers on the turquoise water and white sand — but there are a few things we wish we'd known before landing. In this episode, we share our honest firsthand take on the arrival process, where to stay, what the beach is really like, and the one decision we'd make differently next time. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure. What You'll Discover The airport surprise most travelers miss — Zanzibar now requires visitors to purchase a specific travel insurance policy before arrival. It's not your existing policy. It costs around $45/person and you won't get through without it. We learned this the hard way at the terminal. We'll tell you exactly what to do before you fly. Nungwi vs. Stone Town — These two parts of the island offer completely different experiences, and staying in one makes it hard to visit the other. We break down how to choose and what we'd do differently if we went back. Turaco Nungwi Beach Resort — our honest review of this Marriott Autograph Collection property, the dining plan we chose, and what surprised us about the beach itself (tides, vendors, and a nightly soccer match we didn't expect). The Dream Dhow — our private snorkeling excursion near Mnemba Island was the highlight of the trip. We cover what made it special, what it cost, and what to look for if you book one. Stone Town and the Freddie Mercury Museum — we didn't go. Scott still regrets it. We'll tell you why it ended up on the cutting room floor and how we'd plan it next time. Spice farms, village tours, and the real Zanzibar — what you see beyond the resort walls, and why the conversations we had off the beach stayed with us long after we left. Quick Tips Buy Zanzibar's required travel insurance before you leave home — save the QR code offline Every person needs hotel name, address, and reservation details on their own phone for immigration Pack water shoes — the water bottom is rocky in places Check tide times before planning beach walks; the beach changes dramatically throughout the day Arrange airport transfers through your hotel in advance — it's 90 minutes to Nungwi Resources Dream Dhow excursion Zanzibar required travel insurance: Visit the official Visit Zanzibar insurance site before your trip Kenya Group Safari, June 2027: sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/safari-group-trip Plan your trip with us: sunshinetravelersexperiences.com Sneak Peek - Next week — Episode 184: Diani Beach vs. Zanzibar. Should you add a beach stop after an East Africa safari, and which one is right for you? We compare costs, logistics, beaches, and atmosphere. More Resources & Links: Get Our FREE Ultimate Packing Guide See ALL our Favorite Travel Resources Don't waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, get Flykitt and watch Jet Lag disappear! Protect your privacy, boost your security, and keep your browsing data safe with Express VPN. Plus, get 3 months free with a yearly plan. Follow Sunshine Travelers Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Read more about this and other travel destinations on our BLOG Follow our travels on TikTok @sunshinetravelerspodcast Follow us on X @sunshinetrvlrs Connect with us on LinkedIn @sunshinetravelerspodcast Get travel tips and follow our travels on Instagram: @sunshinetravelerspodcast Follow us on Facebook @sunshinetravelerspodcast Connect with us on Threads @sunshinetravelerspodcast See our travel videos on YouTube @sunshinetravelerspodcast Save our travel ideas on Pinterest @sunshinetravelerspodcast Music: This Acoustic Happy Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

Join Brandon Briscoe as he welcomes missionary Myles Cheadle back to The Postscript Show for an honest update from Nairobi, Kenya.Many assume Kenya is a Christian nation—but is it truly biblical Christianity? In this conversation, Myles shares what life and ministry are really like on the mission field as he plants a church in one of Africa's fastest-growing cities.Hear the remarkable true story of a missing young girl, police corruption, and how God intervened in an unforgettable way. Along the way, Myles discusses the challenges of cultural Christianity, prosperity theology, Islam's growing influence, witchcraft, bribery, language learning, raising a family overseas, and what faithful gospel ministry actually looks like in East Africa.Whether you're interested in missions, church planting, apologetics, or simply want to be encouraged by God's work around the world, this episode offers a candid look at both the hardships and the victories of serving Christ on the mission field.In this episode:• Church planting in Nairobi, Kenya• Is Kenya really a Christian nation?• Cultural Christianity vs. biblical Christianity• Prosperity gospel and charismatic influence• Islam's rapid growth in East Africa• Witchcraft and tribal religion• Police corruption and bribery culture• The incredible story of a missing child• Raising a family on the mission field• God's faithfulness through adversityIf you enjoy biblical conversations on theology, missions, and ministry, subscribe and share this episode.Visit http://lfbi.org/learnmore

From dancing behind some of Uganda's biggest artists to becoming one of East Africa's most celebrated Afropop stars, Vinka's journey is a story of courage, growth, resilience and believing in your own potential.In this special Bell Lager @75 conversation, Vinka sits down with Bonny Kibuuka on The Ugandan Boy Talk Show to reflect on her journey from dancer and artist manager to music superstar, the evolution of Ugandan music, the people and moments that shaped her career, and what it means to represent Uganda on the global stage.Vinka also opens up about her music, her experiences in the entertainment industry, the changing face of Ugandan music, and what the future holds for the next generation of African artists.And with her highly anticipated concert on August 21, Vinka shares what fans can expect and what this moment means to her.This is more than a conversation about an artist. It is a story about Uganda's very own talent, culture, music and the people shaping our story.

Jeff Walker spent decades traveling the world, serving in the U.S. Navy, and building a successful career in IT. But it wasn't until he visited Kenya that everything changed.In this episode of the Blaxit Global Podcast, Jeff shares why Nairobi captured his heart, what it feels like to live as an unapologetically Black man in Kenya, and why other countries simply couldn't compete. From first impressions to finding a true sense of belonging, he reflects on the journey that led him to call Kenya home.Originally from Baltimore, Jeff retired from a career in IT program management and relocated permanently to Nairobi in 2024. Today, he's embracing a new chapter in East Africa—and says he has no plans to leave.In this episode:Why Kenya stood out from every other country he visitedWhat life in Nairobi is really likeLiving as an unapologetically Black man abroadWhy he ruled out other destinationsThe realities of relocating after retirementThe advice he'd give anyone considering a move abroadIf you've ever wondered what it takes to find a place that truly feels like home, this conversation offers an honest look at one man's journey from Baltimore to Nairobi.Send us Fan MailA powerful conversation about freedom, expansion, possibility, and the quiet awakening happening among Black women around the world. Building a life overseas is about more than choosing a country.It's about choosing yourself.Download our free guide, 7 Questions Every Black Woman Should Ask Herself Before Building a Life Overseas, through the link in this episode or at BlaxitGlobal.com. At some point, the question stops being, "Can I move abroad?"And becomes, "What's possible for my life?"Passport is where Black women from around the world come together to explore new possibilities, navigate life abroad, and create lives that feel bigger than the ones they were told to settle for.Because the goal was never just to move.The goal is to expand what feels possible.Support the showJoin Blaxit Global PassportSubscribe to Blaxit Global on YouTubeBlaxit Global Website: www.blaxitglobal.comSupport the show - www.ko-fi.com/blaxitglobal

“You should ask yourself first, what truly, like in your bones, do you actually value and what do you really wanna get done in the world?” –Jessica JackleyJessica Jackley's answer to this question has always been the same: To help people. But she never guessed she'd do it as an entrepreneur.Jessica once believed that business was nothing but greed and manipulation. But then something funny happened: Entrepreneurs kept proving that capital could be used for good. So she listened—to talks from Dr. Muhammad Yunus, to the early pioneers at the Center for Social Innovation at Stanford, and to her friends in East Africa with brilliant plans to better their communities with just a hundred dollars.That listening led Jessica to start Kiva, now one of the world's largest crowdfunding platforms for social good. Today, she's leading the world in social entrepreneurism: proving that when we listen, connect, and design solutions around real human stories, the paths to helping people are infinite.In our conversation, Jessica shares her unexpected path to social entrepreneurism, how Kiva scaled, and her approach to designing an impact-driven career without sacrificing time with family.Find links to resources mentioned and key takeaways in the show notes for this episode: https://www.futurenonprofit.com/jessica-jackley

What happens when you stop trying to become the person the world expects and finally begin choosing who you want to be? In Episode 152 of Pushing Forward with Alycia, host Alycia Anderson welcomes global speaker, bestselling author, disability advocate, activist, and content creator Spencer West for a powerful conversation about disability identity, autonomy, interdependence, and breaking free from expectations. Spencer is the author of Breaking Free: Stop Following Expectations and Start Following Yourself, a new book that invites readers to question the expectations shaping their lives and begin choosing a more authentic path. Born with a genetic condition that prevented the muscles in his legs from functioning, Spencer underwent surgeries that resulted in the amputation of both legs just below his pelvis. Growing up, he was repeatedly told that he was “just like everyone else” and that every child wanted to walk. But prosthetic legs were not the best mobility choice for Spencer. By sixth grade, his parents and therapist gave him the opportunity to decide for himself how he wanted to navigate the world. Choosing to stop using prosthetic legs became one of his earliest lessons in bodily autonomy. “The moment I realized I could choose how I wanted to navigate the world, everything started to change.” That decision did not eliminate the pressure to fit in. Spencer shares how he continued confronting internalized ableism, social expectations, and the confusing message that disability should be ignored rather than embraced as part of his identity. The Life Changing Power of Autonomy Spencer and Alycia discuss why disabled children deserve the opportunity to participate in decisions about their own bodies, mobility, healthcare, and lives. Spencer credits his parents with giving him choices instead of assuming they always knew what was best for him. Looking back, he recognizes that this early experience helped him understand that he could make other meaningful choices too. For parents, educators, medical professionals, and leaders, his story offers an important reminder: supporting disabled people does not mean controlling every decision. It means creating space for autonomy, self discovery, and informed choice. Climbing Kilimanjaro and Redefining Help Spencer also shares the story behind climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. He was not motivated by a desire to prove that “anything is possible.” In fact, Spencer openly admits that he does not like camping and had never dreamed of becoming a mountain climber. The climb became part of a larger campaign called Redefine Possible, which raised more than its original $500,000 goal for clean water initiatives in East Africa. Spencer trained for a year alongside two of his closest friends. Although the original plan was to use both his wheelchair and his hands to climb, the terrain required him to navigate much more of the mountain on his hands than expected. Throughout the expedition, Spencer relied on his friends for physical support. But on summit day, both friends became sick from the altitude. Suddenly, the person who assumed he would need the most assistance became the person helping them continue. Spencer could not physically carry his friends, but he could stay beside them, encourage them, and keep moving forward with them. That experience transformed how he viewed strength. “We all need help. We all need to ask for help, and we all need to offer help.” Rather than celebrating the myth of the self made person, Spencer encourages people to embrace interdependence, the understanding that every person depends on support, relationships, community, and collaboration. Moving Beyond Inspiration Porn Spencer and Alycia examine the harmful narratives that often surround disabled people who accomplish highly visible goals. Spencer never wanted his Kilimanjaro climb reduced to a message suggesting that if a disabled person can climb a mountain, everyone should be able to overcome every barrier. That framing ignores systemic ableism, access needs, privilege, support, and the reality that every disabled person has a different body and experience. Spencer shares how disability justice advocate Naomi Ortiz challenged him to reconsider the way he talked about the climb. The true story was not that he overcame disability alone. It was that he reached the summit through community and interdependence. That conversation led Spencer to study disability history, disability justice, and the advocates who have shaped the movement. Today, much of his content reflects what he continues to learn and unlearn in real time. What Does It Mean to Break Free? Spencer's new book, Breaking Free: Stop Following Expectations and Start Following Yourself, examines the expectations people absorb from the moment they enter the world. For Spencer, those expectations included: Do not think of yourself as disabled Overcome your disability Use prosthetic legs Follow a traditional career path Marry a woman Measure success through productivity Live according to society's definition of a successful life As a disabled gay man growing up in a conservative Wyoming community, Spencer gradually realized that many of those expectations did not reflect who he was or what he wanted. Breaking free became the process of identifying which expectations belonged to him and which ones had been placed upon him by others. “My value and success are not tied up in what my body can produce.” Spencer explains that breaking free does not always require climbing a mountain or completely changing your career. It can begin with one small decision, such as leaving an unhealthy relationship, exploring a new passion, moving to another city, or making room for something that brings joy. Disability as Identity During a volunteer trip to Kenya, Spencer spoke with students about his disability. A young girl told him she had not realized that the loss of limbs could happen to a white person too. Her observation sparked a major realization. Until that moment, Spencer had viewed disability primarily as something that happened to him. He had not yet embraced it as part of his identity. That experience helped him begin connecting disability with the other layers of who he is, including being queer, a speaker, a creator, and an advocate. Spencer and Alycia reflect on how long it can take to fully embrace disability identity after growing up in environments that treated disability as something negative, shameful, or separate from the self. A Book Designed to Become a Tool Breaking Free is more than a memoir. Spencer designed the book as a practical guide for readers who are questioning the expectations shaping their lives. Each chapter includes exercises, reflection questions, key concepts, and opportunities for readers to begin their own process of change. The book also gives Spencer an opportunity to share parts of his life that he had not discussed publicly before, including the pressure he experienced to hide his queer identity while working within an organization concerned about conservative donors and religious partners. After years of advocacy from Spencer, queer colleagues, and allies, he eventually shared his coming out story publicly on June 26, 2015, the day marriage equality became law across the United States. For Spencer, that moment represented years of persistence, truth telling, and breaking free. Spencer West's North Star Today, Spencer continues speaking, creating digital content, and helping organizations understand the value of hiring disabled talent. His work challenges myths about disabled employees and highlights the unnecessary ableism many disabled people face while trying to find meaningful employment. His current North Star is clear: get Breaking Free into the hands of people who need permission to question expectations, embrace their identities, and begin choosing themselves. In This Episode Why bodily autonomy matters for disabled children and adults Spencer's decision to stop using prosthetic legs Unlearning internalized ableism The deeper story behind climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Why no one is truly self made Interdependence and the courage to ask for help How inspiration porn harms disabled people Learning from disability justice advocates Disability and queer identity Breaking free from society's expectations Separating personal value from productivity Why Spencer wrote Breaking Free Disability inclusion and employment Memorable Quotes from Spencer West “The moment I realized I could choose how I wanted to navigate the world, everything started to change.” “The story was not that I reached the top alone. The story was interdependence.” The Pushing Forward Moment “Maybe our job is not to become anything. Maybe our job is to unbecome all the things that do not belong to us so we can become the person we were meant to be.” Spencer explains that this idea, inspired by a passage associated with Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, became the guiding thesis behind Breaking Free. Connect with Spencer West Visit Spencer2TheWest.com to learn more about Spencer, book him to speak, and find his new book. Follow Spencer on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at @spencer2thewest. Book: Breaking Free: Stop Following Expectations and Start Following Yourself Available wherever books are sold. Connect with Alycia Anderson Visit AlyciaAnderson.com to learn more about Alycia's keynotes, disability inclusion programs, accessibility resources, and consulting services. Explore more episodes of Pushing Forward with Alycia. Pushing Forward is how we roll. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

South Africa has announced plans to expand its strategic oil reserve for the first time since the apartheid era. this is in its response to the global supply shocks. The proposal aims to reserve approximately 36 million barrels, comprising 70% crude oil and 30% refined petroleum products, to meet 60 days of National demand. The proposal also requires licensed oil marketers to hold an additional 21 days of oil stock as a buffer. The government says this will mitigate oil supply shocks in cases of emergencies. And an exclusive chat with award winning Ugandan hip-hop artist and pioneer of the music genre Uga-flow, Navio, on East Africa's music scene and how he's stayed relevant, more than 20 years in the industryPresenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine and Ayuba Iliya Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

I’m on the road in a 16 foot Penske truck  I’m doing this show from a hotel room in Bolingbrook, Illinois. friend Of The Show Jeff  Zelepugas  joins me and my undisclosed beautiful travel companion Music by The Kinks ? Donate to the show – Rock and Roll Geek Friends And Family Membership Thanks to Ralph Miller for the $125 Penske truck donation Thanks to Dan Gerawan for the $100 Penske Donation Donate on Venmo Dan Gerawan – $100 Concerned Donation John Morgan – $50 Hang In There Bud Kirk Crawford – $50 Tim Schall – $50 Rockbottom Rob Giglio – $25 Gregg Brofer – $20 Blake Johnston – $20 Todd Cunningham – $10 Danny Borden – $5 Steven Cohen $5 Richard Fusey – $4.44 Richard Fusey – $6.66 Bruce McMillan – $3 (Venmo donation id is @Michael-Butler-11) PATREON DONORS Joe Pawlak – $16.66 Kirk Crawford – $12.77 Patrick Shanahan – $10 Brian Springer – $8 Jon Scott – $8 Michael Street – $7.50 Dave Slusher – $5.55 Robert Harvey – $5 Chiaki Hinohara – $5 MedakiMetal on Instagram Jamie Jefford – $5 Erik Klein – $5 Paul Smith – $5 Justin Lefkowitz – $5 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1 Paypal Donors Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Bradley Lisko – $10 William Bealle – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Peter Spark $5 Andrew Howe – $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Dave Alexander – $2 Adam Croft – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Show Transcript  0 00:00:05 From somewhere in the middle of nowhere, this is the Rock and Roll Geek Show. This is the story of my rock and roll butler. Welcome to the Rock and Roll Geek Show. 00:00:21 My name is Michael Butler. Thanks a lot for joining me. I really appreciate it. 00:00:25 Today is Friday, July 17th, 2026. It’s 540 when I’m doing this. We’re going to do it shortly because we have people in the hotel room. 00:00:37 A friend of the show is here that I met. We’re in, what town are we in? Bowling? 00:00:44 Bowling? Bowling Brook. Bowling Brook. 00:00:46 Bowling Brook, Illinois. Introduce yourself. It’s Jeffrey. 00:00:50 Jeffrey Zalapugas. Zalapugas. I can’t pronounce his last name. 00:00:54 I don’t know why but Zalapugas. Zalapugas. Zalapugas. 00:01:03 It’s not my pizza name. My pizza name is Paige. So is that an Italian? 00:01:07 Zalapugas. Lithuanian. Lithuanian, ooh. 00:01:10 I don’t know what they say about Lithuanians. Yeah, for sure. If I order a pizza, it’s never that. 00:01:18 What do you mean? It’s never a Lithuanian pizza? No, it’s never Zalapugas. 00:01:21 Oh, it’s Zalapulagas. Zalapulagas. That’s what you’re going to hear going back. 00:01:24 I’ve heard it all. Talk into that microphone. You can’t butcher the last name. 00:01:32 Jeffrey Zalapugas. We’re going to meet up with Jeff Thielicke today. That’s who you were with last time when I was in Milwaukee. 00:01:40 And Chicago. And Manitoba. Oh, you were in Chicago as well. 00:01:43 Yeah. Thielicke got pretty wasted, huh? Milwaukee as well. 00:01:48 Yeah. Hats off to Jeff. He’s a fun guy. 00:01:51 Sure is. As you are as well. He’s a good dude. 00:01:54 I was telling undisclosed, beautiful travel companion Raquel how hilarious you got. You crack me up all the time. Last time you were there, I was cracking up. 00:02:07 Well, we had the gentle giant with us, though. Stirring up the pot. Yeah, your bodyguard. 00:02:13 Yeah, we went to a Mexican place. Did you know he came to? Oh, his wife is here, Winnie. 00:02:18 His beautiful wife, Winnie. Say hi, Winnie. Winnie, did you know he came all the way to see… 00:02:26 Yes, yes, he told me about it. Yes, he told me, yes. You okay with that? 00:02:30 Yes, I was. Where are you from, Winnie? I’m from Africa. 00:02:36 You’re from Africa? What part of Africa? East Africa. 00:02:38 East Africa. What country is in East Africa? Uganda. 00:02:41 What is it? Uganda. Uganda? 00:02:44 Wow. I went to Cape Town, and I went to… Oh, fuck. 00:02:51 Botswana? Botswana, oh, yeah. Is that near Uganda? 00:02:55 No, that’s south, south, south, yes. They had no… In Cape Town, because I wanted to have wild game, I wanted to eat wild game. 00:03:02 Wow. Cape Town, they had all kinds of wild game you could eat. Yes, they do. 00:03:06 Botswana and up there, there was no wild game. Yeah, Botswana is a bit a desert of a desert. There were game reserves, but there was no wild game to eat. 00:03:16 No, no, they don’t. What about Uganda? Oh, Uganda is beautiful. 00:03:19 You have… Is there wild… Can you eat wild game there? 00:03:22 Oh, yes. Springbok was delicious. Yes, you better come to Uganda. 00:03:27 I’ll… Can you have… You have a place I can stay there? 00:03:30 No, I’m kidding. Oh, yes, I do. We had… 00:03:32 I had ostrich carpaccio in Cape Town. Okay. That was the best thing I’ve ever eaten in my life. 00:03:40 Wow. It was so good. You come in Uganda, you’ll eat the luwombo. 00:03:45 Luwombo? Luwombo, yes. What is that? 00:03:49 It’s beef or chicken stewed in banana leaves. Oh, that’s great. Yes, real tender. 00:03:56 Oh, man, I’m hungry. We haven’t eaten today. Zellopagus. 00:04:00 We’ll feed you. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Winnie. Nice to meet you. 00:04:04 So you go back and forth to Africa? Yes, yes, I do. I do. 00:04:08 I had… We had a woman who was a friend… We started off as cleaning our house, but then she became a really good friend and part of the family. 00:04:15 She’s from Cape Town. She goes back. Her husband’s still there. 00:04:19 Her husband stays in Cape Town. She goes back and forth. Now I have my husband here, so I better go see my other family. 00:04:26 You get away from your husband for a while. Does Jeffrey go with you? Yes, for a break. 00:04:30 He hasn’t yet, but we hope to go. You’ve never been to Africa? Not yet. 00:04:34 It’s a hell of a flight. Yes. We got married in Fiji. 00:04:39 I don’t know where that is. Fiji. Is that near Australia? 00:04:43 Yeah, above Australia. Oh, right, yeah. You’ve got to lay flat. 00:04:46 You’ve got to get first class. It’s a shit flight if you don’t lay first class. When I sell the house, we’re going to lay flat in Japan. 00:04:56 Nice. Wow. Yeah, I would love to go to Japan. 00:04:59 Yeah, we’re going to do some drinking and eating in Japan. Come with us. We’re going to go. 00:05:02 It’s beautiful, yes. Tokyo, for sure. Yeah. 00:05:05 We’re going to go to Alcatraz. We’ll let you know where we’re going. Kyoto. 00:05:08 Oh, yeah. We’re going to go to Kyoto, Osaka, maybe even Okinawa. Because they have good beer in Okinawa. 00:05:14 Beautiful place. Yeah. You like sake, brother? 00:05:19 No, I don’t drink sake too much. But I do like a Japanese beer. I’ll take a Sapporo. 00:05:26 Oh, that’s too generic? Well, it depends on which. Now we’re going to geek out on beer. 00:05:30 Because I’ll tell you, if you have a Sapporo 22-ounce can, they’re brewed in Japan. But if you get a 12-ounce can or a bottle of Sapporo, it’s brewed in Canada. It’s by Molson. 00:05:43 Oh, wow. I didn’t know that. Microphone up to your mouth. 00:05:45 Fun fact from Michael Butler. And if you go to a Japanese restaurant, if they have Asahi on draft, that is brewed in Japan. But if you get an Asahi bottle, it’s another Americanized. 00:05:57 It’s like made in America somewhere. What about sake in that goofy barrel? I don’t know anything about sake. 00:06:02 You’re not a sake drinker? My good friend Shaki, Metal Moment, he knows all about it. But I don’t know anything about sake. 00:06:08 How’s he doing? We had dinner. Undisclosed Raquel came. 00:06:13 We had dinner with them on Sunday before we left. Went to a Korean all-you-can-eat place. It was good. 00:06:18 Cool. Glad you reconnected. Yeah. 00:06:21 That was the first time Shaki’s seen me since the shit went down. But yeah. Yeah. 00:06:28 He took it all in stride. Well, good to have friends. Yeah, because his wife was, well, I don’t know if she was friends with the other one. 00:06:37 So she met Raquel, and they were very impressed by how great of a person Raquel was. Well, definitely. This whole mission you’ve been on these last couple of weeks, having a partner in crime, is essential. 00:06:53 So I’m happy for the two of you, and thanks for doing this for Michael. So what brings you to Bowling? What are we at again? 00:06:59 We’re in Bowling Brook, Illinois. The claim to fame was the first indoor amusement park. It’s no longer here. 00:07:07 I saw the Ramones, actually, at that venue called Old Chicago. It’s on YouTube if you guys get bored. But there was a riot afterwards, chair throwing. 00:07:20 Yeah. Oh, nice. And I got one of Didi’s picks. 00:07:23 I should have brought that. Just a brag deal. Chair throwing where they’re like, people wanted to see the punk rock circus or something, and they started to fight with the punk rockers? 00:07:32 No, I don’t know what the uproar was. But there’s some footage of the Ramones walking around Old Chicago in Bowling Brook. Oh, okay. 00:07:41 Maybe I’ll throw that out on the Facebook. You didn’t create that, though, did you? No, I don’t. 00:07:46 No, I did not create it. But let’s not get into that. It’s a running gag. 00:07:51 My brother just became a rock and roll geek, and I asked him about it. He’s like, oh, did I? You’re going to meet him tonight, hopefully. 00:07:59 Oh, good. Did he bring his harmonicas? Well, we were talking about that before we jumped on this cast. 00:08:05 Well, if he gets asked, he needs to be prepared. Well, he doesn’t want to assume. Do I need to bring my harmonicas in case he wants to blow? 00:08:16 Yeah, if they’re handy. He does have them with him, right? He said he wasn’t going to bring them. 00:08:20 Let me look in the truck before we get out of here, and I’ll see. On the way here, go ahead. So Bowling Brook is just a suburb of Chicago. I told you about the claim to fame, the old Chicago, but it’s probably maybe an hour, hour and a half west of Chicago, 00:08:37 just a suburb. You’re pretty much in and out on I-80, but that’s really all Bowling Brook’s about. But we’re going to see a blues band that my brother used to sit in with years ago called the Griff Band, so Don Griffin. So he’s going to do one set, and then somebody’s going to do just 00:08:55 classic rock after that. So we’ve got blues and then classic rock? Blues and classic rock. 00:09:00 All right. Well, good. Where are you coming from? 00:09:04 I live in a town called Lakewood, Illinois, which is next to Crystal Lake. It’s halfway between Chicago and Rockford, as the crow flies. You know Rockford? 00:09:13 I asked beautiful Raquel if she knew what Rockford was famous for. Does she know? She does now. 00:09:23 She knows now. The band that has no past? Yes, exactly. 00:09:28 She thought it was where the famous oysters were from. You’re going to have to. If you guys had time, the Hard Rock Casino has a huge. 00:09:36 In Rockford or in Chicago? In Rockford has a huge. We already passed Rockford. 00:09:41 Yeah, I guess you did, but I mean, you’re not like. I mean, if you were a diehard Rick Nielsen fan. They got Rick Nielsen’s guitars, right? 00:09:49 They got, I’d say, probably 30 guitars, probably 10 outfits. You know, all kinds of, you know. Rick, you know, from Rockford, living in Rockford, has a huge display. 00:10:00 I could probably forward some pictures there. How far is Rockford from here? I don’t know. 00:10:06 Maybe, probably 45 minutes. We got to go back track 45 minutes? No, it’s north and probably a little bit. 00:10:12 It’s probably more due north and probably a little bit east. All right, maybe we’ll see. Or west, rather, sorry. 00:10:19 West, so we got to go back track. We’ll see if we can. I should have mentioned that, but you know that crazy knit jumpsuit that he’s got? 00:10:27 With the, what is it? Is it Glenplaid? With the checkerboards, you mean? 00:10:32 Checkerboards, but kind of like offset. Those pants that he wears? Uh-huh. 00:10:37 You remember when he had the arrow with the red sweater and the goofy hat? Yeah, that’s early, that’s in color. With those knit pants, there’s a pair of those on display. 00:10:46 And a bunch of his guitars. He can’t fit in those anymore. I spent more time taking pictures of that than actually seeing the gig that we were going there to see. 00:10:59 We’re going to Nashville to see them open for GZ Top. Nashville’s great. Joe Pollock invited me to see Cheap Trick and Hart. 00:11:10 That was last year, year before? With the lovely Gina. That was a good time. 00:11:16 Did you go? Yeah, I went. They invited me. 00:11:19 We hung out. Did Robin get up and sing? Love Hurts? 00:11:25 No, I don’t think they did Love Hurts. Did he get up and sing with Hart? I don’t even remember if the kid was there or not. 00:11:30 Robin Jr.? Yeah, Robin Jr. I don’t really recall. 00:11:33 I’ve been to so many gigs. Ann Wilson was in the wheelchair, but I think she’s gotten better since then. We, on the way here, we stopped at the world’s largest truck stop. 00:11:44 You ever been there? I’ve heard of it. I’ve never been. 00:11:46 I was a little disappointed. This is a big shopping mall? Thielicke told us, you need to stop at the world’s largest truck stop. 00:11:54 So we stopped, and it’s not that great. It’s not like you guys have been to the Buc-ee’s, I’m sure, right? That’s what I said. 00:12:01 I said, well, this Buc-ee’s looks as big as this. I like Buc-ee’s better than that place we were at today. Buc-ee’s has all branded stuff. 00:12:10 Yeah, there’s one. Wisconsin has one called Quick Trip. I’m not a Wisconsinian, but on the scale of Buc-ee’s, I don’t know where they fit. 00:12:23 But they’ll have stuff like hard-boiled eggs pickled, stuff like that, weird. Like 110 different kinds of beef sticks. I’m sure the Wisconsinians would know more about it. 00:12:39 But Quick Trip, if you see one, is a little bit of a trip. If we see a Quick Trip, we’ll stop at a Quick Trip. I’m hoping we see a Buc-ee’s, because I would like everybody to experience the Buc-ee’s. 00:12:49 It’s something you should check out once. Yeah, they’re mainly from the south, I think, right? But they’re starting to make a little bit of a jump up north here. 00:12:56 Yeah, I think so. All right, so thank you for meeting up with us, General Paulodoulos. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. 00:13:05 I’ll probably have a beer with you just to get off my sabbatical. There you go. My health sabbatical. 00:13:09 Why are you not drinking right now? I went through some health issues, man. I’m on a bunch of meds, and it doesn’t mix with booze that well. 00:13:16 Do you have a stroke? No, I had AFib about three years ago, and then it came back about nine months ago. And then I had a situation where the blood wasn’t pumping through the heart appropriately. 00:13:29 How did you find that out? Well, I knew it was gurgling, you know what I mean? Were you wearing a watch? 00:13:37 Because if you’re wearing a watch and you have AFib stuff, it’ll blow up. Yeah, so I bought the watch to monitor for it. That’s why I’m wearing one. 00:13:44 Yeah, I started getting it again. And then I had an ablation on May 11th, and I’ve been pretty good since then. What’s an ablation? 00:13:50 They go in there and zap some of the overacting areas of the heart that send electrical pulses to make your heart beat. What do they zap it with? Sound waves or radio waves or something. 00:14:02 And they deaden some of the overactive sites, and hopefully they get the right ones. And since then, they shocked it back in the rhythm and then did the ablation, and I’ve been okay since. So I’ve been staying off the beef, staying off the booze. 00:14:18 Staying off the beef? Yeah, they take you off the beef. Fuck that. 00:14:24 Fuck that shit. Well, they say your good years are between 63 and 73. What’s that? 00:14:31 What do they want you to eat? Chicken, fish, vegetables, fruit. That’s okay, too, but you’ve got to eat. 00:14:38 The beef is… Once in a while. Yeah. 00:14:41 So once in a while. You got money? Not really. 00:14:45 So you better… Sorry, Winnie. If he kicks it, you ain’t going to get much. 00:14:50 You better hope he lives. I mean… I got enough to retire today. 00:14:58 Okay, good. So Winnie’s not going to be homeless until she can die. No, no, no. 00:15:01 She’s… Good. Yeah, yeah. 00:15:03 I’m sure she has her own money. Yeah. You have your own money, right, Winnie? 00:15:07 Yes, I do. Good, good, good, good. She’s got a big compound back in Africa, so she probably, you know… 00:15:12 She mourned for a week and then be back in Africa, probably. But, anyway. Well, I appreciate you coming, Zellablogs. 00:15:18 No worries, man. Thanks for having me. So, friends, we’re trying to get back to New York by Sunday. 00:15:24 We’re taking I-80. I said this yesterday. We’re taking I-80. 00:15:29 So if you’re along I-80 and want to have a beer or something… I think we do get off I-80 at some point, don’t we? Oh, I don’t know. 00:15:36 Very soon, I think. We got two more days. So we’re going to be heading through Pennsylvania, then up to New York. 00:15:42 So if you’re on our route, friends, I’d love to meet up with you and have a beer or something. And, again, thank you to everybody who’s been contributing to this trip. It’s much appreciated. 00:15:55 And it’s been so far so good. Oh, you want a beer? Okay. 00:16:02 I’ll get you a beer. Hold on a second. Now I’m frazzled. 00:16:07 No, I wanted you to have a sip of that fine… Let’s take a sip. Oh, yeah. We’re all drinking, except for Zella Pelugas, 00:16:14 we’re all drinking Modelo in the can and a Yeti knockoff. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Thank you, everybody, for supporting the shot. 00:16:21 Take a sip of this fine Modelo. It’s new. There you go. 00:16:26 Ah! You know what they say. The eighth one of the day is always the best. 00:16:32 This is actually the first one of the day. It’s the first one of the day for me as well. Cheers. 00:16:35 Cheers, Michael August. Cheers. That’s not going to give you a heart attack. 00:16:39 What meds are you on? All kinds of shit, man. I’ll tell you offline. 00:16:43 Okay. Well, thank you for listening, friends. 00:16:46 Rockandrollgeek.com is where you can find the show. Find me on the Facebook, R&R Geek. 00:16:51 Rockandrollgeek Facebook group. Going strong as usual. Thanks to the sheriff. 00:16:57 And find me on the Twitter, R&R Geek. Find me on the Instagram, rockandrollgeek. Don’t ask. 00:17:02 Please keep the donations coming. Without your donations, this show would die a horrible, putrid, stenchful death. And if you get any value out of this, please contribute what you can. 00:17:10 And I thank you for everybody who’s been supporting so far. Zella Palougalos. We’re going to go watch some blues and have some beer. 00:17:17 This is not going to be your only beer for the night. I’ve got a feeling. All right, friends. So I’m going to close out with something that Chris Cappell, 00:17:23 the rockandroll copywriter, sent. We’re playing all songs that have road in the title. And this is from the Kinks 1977 sleepwalker album. 00:17:32 You know what song this is? I don’t. You don’t know the Kinks? 00:17:36 Only the hits. This one is called Life on the Road. Thank you for listening, friends. 00:17:40 I’ll talk to you tomorrow.The post On the road in a Penske truck day five -Bolingbrook, Illinois first appeared on The Rock and Roll Geek Show.

Dr. Mark Plotkin has spent nearly four decades in the Amazon, apprenticing to the shamans whose plant knowledge has quietly shaped modern medicine. He arrives with a proposition that connects a burning bush in the Sinai, a coffee forest in East Africa, and a rainforest pharmacy we have barely begun to read.We explore the fascinating world of ethnobotany, plant-human interactions, and the profound impact of indigenous wisdom on modern science and conservation. Discover how ancient plant medicines and modern technology can help us understand and protect our planet.| Mark Plotkin Ph.D. |►Website | https://markplotkin.com/►Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/docmarkplotkin►YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@dr.markj.plotkin3087►Listen to The Plants of the Gods Podcast | https://markplotkin.com/podcast/This episode is sponsored by►Metal Mark Gold Aurum Collectable Art | ⁠https://mtlmrk.com/⁠►Korrect Life | ⁠https://korrectlife.com/| Aubrey Marcus |►Website | ⁠⁠https://www.aubreymarcus.com/►Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/aubreymarcus►Facebook |⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/AubreyMarcus/►X |⁠ https://x.com/aubreymarcus►Substack: https://www.aubreymarcus.com/blogs/substack► Love To The Seventh Power: ⁠https://chakaruna.com/collections/books⁠Subscribe to the Aubrey Marcus podcast:►iTunes |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apple.co/2lMZRCn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠►Spotify |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://spoti.fi/2EaELZO ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠►IHeartRadio |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ihr.fm/3CiV4x3 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠►Partner with the Aubrey Marcus Podcast | https://www.aubreymarcus.com/pages/booking

The number 1 hit true crime series is back with more women fighting crime, battling injustice and seriously kicking ass.In The Girlfriends: Spotlight, our global gang of girlfriends grew to include Pussy Riot’s punk icon and political prisoner Nadya Tolokonnikova, British Nigerian beauty queen and founder of Miss Trans Global, Miss saHHara and ‘The Erin Brockovich of East Africa’, environmental activist Phyllis Omido. Now host Anna Sinfield returns with more incredible stories. The Girlfriends: Spotlight is produced by Novel for iHeartPodcasts.For more from Novel visit Novel.AudioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.